November 10, 2009 TRAC Update

Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee
Newsletter 10
November 10, 2009

(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)

There's lots of transportation news in this installation of the TRAC update, along with a request for input on TBARTA documents and a history of Florida's flagship bridge, our own Sunshine Skyway.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We wish you a happy day filled with family and friends. Drive carefully.

Best,
TRAC

Sunshine Skyway - a History
Read an article sharing the history of one of our area's most important transportation links


TBARTA Wants your input: TOD Principles and Policies
TBARTA wants your thoughts on their draft versions of TOD Guiding Principles and on Model Comprehensive Plan Policies. They hope to hear as many comments as possible on the plans, to be reviewed by a TBARTA Subcommittee. Please have your comments in by November 19.

Transportation Events & Meetings
Alliance for Responsible Transportation Meeting
Sunday, November 15th 2:00 pm
Conference room at Selby Public Library, Sarasota
More Information

TBARTA Land Use Working Group
Joint meeting with TBRPC Regional Planning Advisory Council
Thursday, November 19 9:30 am -12:00 pm
4000 Gateway Centre Blvd. Pinellas Park, FL
More Information

Transportation in the News

• New College is going solar with Cruise Car
• Editorial: Keep public transit simple
• Multi-modal trail along Bird Key Park in the works
• Committee formed to study Sarasota/Manatee Counties transit merger
• Proposed I-75 widening to benefit wildlife as well as drivers

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates in their inbox? Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.org.

TRAC is a committee of the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA).SEA is an initiative of SCOPE. Learn more at www.scopexcel.org

October 20, 2009 TRAC Update

TRAC Update Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee
Newsletter 9
October 20, 2009

(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)

This TRAC Update features a local streetcar initiative, tracking information on local road projects, and a call for reader submitted articles on transportation and redevelopment.

Best,
TRAC

What Are You Reading?
Have you read an article or blog you would like to share with TRAC Update readers? Email Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.org.


Local Spotlight: Sarasota Streetcar Initiative
Read about this local initiative to bring streetcars to the city of Sarasota. The group hopes to create two local streetcar routes: one along Main Street and another looping from the Van Wezel to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.


Transportation Events & Meetings

• West Bayfront Multi-Use Recreational Trail Informational Meeting
  Wednesday, October 28th 6:00 pm
  City Hall, 1565 First Street, Sarasota
  More information
  
• TBARTA Public Education & Engagement Program Presentation
  At the Nokomis Area Civic Association Meeting
  Tuesday, October 27th 7:00
  Nokomis Community Center234 Nippino Trail Center, Nokomis
  More Information

Transportation in the News

• Florida Senate told to "get act together" on commuter rail.
• Westfield Southgate Mall expansion includes roundabouts.
• State launches website to track US 301 widening project.

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates? Please forward him or her this email! Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.org.

TRAC is a committee of the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA).SEA is an initiative of SCOPE. Learn more at www.scopexcel.org.

October 6, 2009 TRAC Update

TRAC Update Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee
Newsletter 8
October 6, 2009

(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)

Learn about the outcome of the Osprey Bayfront Charrette and read on for exciting developments in local bus, rail and automobile transportation.

Best,TRAC

Transportation Spending - It's Stimulating!

Visit this site to learn how the Florida Department of Transportation is spending Florida's federal stimulus dollars. Check back for weekly updates.

Follow-up: Osprey Bayfront Charrette
This August, a 7-day charrette was held to revision 14 acres between Little Sarasota Bay and Tamiami Trail in Osprey. The master plan that came out of the charrette is found here.
This was the first charrette to take place in Sarasota County in accordance with the recently adopted Planned Mixed-Use Infill (PMI) Ordinance. Dover, Kohl and Partners, an urban design and architecture firm in Miami, managed the charrette.

Transportation Events & Meetings

• Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization
  Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
  Monday, October 12th 10:00 am
  Airport Commerce Center, 7632 15th St., Sarasota
  More information about the event (click calendar on the left)
• TBARTA Speaker's Bureau At the Community Alliance of Sarasota County Meeting
  Monday, October 19th 1:30 pm
  Sarasota School Board Chambers
  1980 Landings Blvd. Brown Awning Building, A/B Conference Room
  More information about the meeting
  

Transportation in the News

• Governor Crist submits Florida's high-speed rail request
• Smart traffic system coming to Sarasota and Manatee Counties
• Sarasota and Manatee Counties discuss a bi-county bus agency
• An editorial about getting on board for transit in the Tampa Bay area

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates? Please forward him or her this email!Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.org. Visit our blog at www.beeridgetod.blogspot.com

TRAC is a committee of the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA). SEA is an initiative of SCOPE. Learn more at www.scopexcel.org.

September 22 TRAC Update

TRAC Update Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee
Newsletter 7
September 22, 2009


(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)

For information on a new report for coastal communities, a video presentation about smart growth, and a chance to attend events related to local transportation issues, please read on!

Best,TRAC

Reports: Smart Growth for Coastal & Waterfront Communities
Read "Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities." This guide builds on ten smart growth principles to create coastal and waterfront-specific strategies for development. The guide includes an overview of the unique development challenges and opportunities along the water and provides specific approaches to development that include a description of the issues, tools, techniques and case studies. The report was released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the International City/County Management Association, and Rhode Island Sea Grant.

Smart Growth & our Commissioners
Watch Peter Katz, Sarasota County's director of smart growth and urban planning, present information on smart growth to the County Commission

Transportation Events & Meetings

• "Smart Growth Dumb Growth", hosted by USF's Institute for Public Policy & Leadership
  Wednesday, September 30th 4:00 - 5:30
  USF Sarasota-Manatee Selby Auditorium 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fl.
  More information about the event
  
• TBARTA Land Use Working Group
  Friday, October 2nd 9:30 - 12:00
  Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
  4000 Gateway Centre Boulevard, Ste 100, Pinellas Park 33782
  More information about the meeting

Transportation in the News

• Census data shows fewer Americans are driving to work alone.
• Efforts to satisfy neighborhood concerns lead to a revised plan for extending Honore Avenue
• Manatee County plans to extend bus hours
• SCAT bus drivers seek a 3% wage increase
  

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates in their inbox? Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.orgVisit our blog at www.beeridgetod.blogspot.com

TRAC is a committee of the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA). SEA is an initiative of SCOPE. Learn more at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102719512396&s=6&e=001trY99xw6xq69df85dafkF4Vb2FedlFtjnphUm_O-y7bX6_NBqVjYbJkI5eRIC4Ytjt1WEEHpZcAXVwipjLa4gYofsjPE2dCVNEUhEcFYXps=.

September 8 TRAC Update

(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)

TRAC Update Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee
Newsletter 6
September 8, 2009

Read on for our first September newsletter! This edition of the TRAC newsletter contains a spotlight on ConnectUS, a group focused on high speed rail, articles on how the stimulus funds are being distributed (or not distributed) locally and a guide to smart growth and active aging.

Best,TRAC


Smart Growth & Active Aging
This guide from the United States EPA, promotes awareness of community design and why it matters to older adults.

Transportation Initiatives Around Florida: ConnectUS
ConnectUS is a grassroots organization aimed at gaining support for the national high speed rail initiative, specifically focused on Florida's opportunity to build the first Florida high speed rail system between Tampa, Orlando and Miami. They envision a future where high speed rail lays the foundation for sustainable growth and a new era of economic prosperity. Learn more. . .

Transportation Events & Meetings

• Meetings to review proposed changes to SCAT route and schedule
  Throughout September, various locations
  More information on the SCAT meetings
• Florida Department of Transportation's Strategic Intermodal System Input
  Throughout August and September, various locations
  More information on the FDOT SIS
• "Smart Growth Dumb Growth", hosted by USF's Institute for Public Policy & Leadership
  Wednesday, September 30th 4:00 - 5:30USF Sarasota-Manatee Selby Auditorium 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fl.
  More information about the event
  

Transportation in the News
Check out the latest transportation news below!

• The State asks the federal government for $270 million for commuter rail.
• Federal stimulus money for highways is starting to trickle down to the area's construction industry.
• ..but some of that federal money is going to non-local companies.
• A guest editorial on smart growth in the Herald Tribune.
  

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates in their inbox? Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.orgVisit our blog at www.beeridgetod.blogspot.com

TRAC is a committee of the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA). SEA is an initiative of SCOPE. Learn more at www.scopexcel.org

August 24 TRAC Update

(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)

Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee
TRAC Update
Newsletter 5
August 24, 2009


In this edition of the TRAC Update, we bring you a blog entry on smart growth, a spotlight on Miami 21 as our Transportation Initiative around the state and a listing of some of the many upcoming transportation related meetings and events.

Best,
TRAC


Raising the Bar on Smart Growth
This blog entry asks smart growth advocates to demand more than tall, dense & boxy buildings.


Transportation Initiatives Around Florida: Spotlight Miami
Miami 21 is a group that takes a holistic approach to land use and urban planning for the Miami of the future. They are seeking a clear vision for the city that is supported by specific guidelines and regulations for land use. The Miami 21 Zoning Code is a form based code for the city of Miami. Learn more. . .

Transportation Events & Meetings

• Bus Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment process meetings, hosted by SCAT
  Wednesday, August 26th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm & Thursday, August 27th, 10:00am - 12:00pmGeldbart Auditorium, Selby Public Library, 1331 First Street, Sarasota, Fl.
  More information on BRT
  
  
• TBARTA Land Use Working Group Meeting
  Thursday, August 27th 9:30 - 12:00
  Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd., Pinellas Park, Fl.
  More information on the LUWG.
  
  
• North Cattlemen Road Improvement Project Public Hearing
  Thursday, August 27th 5:00 - 7:00County Operations Facility (BOB), 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, Fl.
  More information about the project
  
  
• Florida Department of Transportation's Strategic Intermodal System Input Meetings
  Throughout August and September, various locations
  More information on the FDOT SIS
  
  
• "Smart Growth Dumb Growth", hosted by USF's Institute for Public Policy & Leadership
  Wednesday, September 30th 4:00 - 5:30USF Sarasota-Manatee Selby Auditorium 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fl.
  More information about the event
  

Transportation in the News
One of the goals of our newsletter is to keep you informed of transportation developments that affect our local area. Check out the latest transportation news below!

• Lakewood Ranch hopes for bus service
• Charlotte County to test out first bus route
• The state gets feedback on a proposed I75 expansion
• FDOT's Commuter Services program encourages ride sharing
  

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates in their inbox? Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.org.


TRAC is a committee of the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA). SEA is an initiative of SCOPE. Learn more at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ge87k5cab.0.0.9gjriacab.0&ts=S0411&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scopexcel.org&id=preview.

August 11 TRAC Update

(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)

Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee
TRAC Update
Newsletter 4
(due to a numbering error, there is no newsletter 3)
August 11, 2009


In this edition of the TRAC Update, we bring you a video of our presentation to the Board of County Commissioners,a new feature on Transportation Initiatives around the state and transportation news from around our region.

Best,
TRAC

TRAC's Report
Watch Jennifer Shafer, TRAC Chairwoman, present our findings to the Board of County Commissioners. (jump to Agenda Item 11in the video)

Transportation Initiatives Around Florida
A group called ONE BAY has been gathering thoughts and feedback from citizens about the Tampa Bay region since May 2007. Most recently, they commissioned a survey that found that Transportation Issues was among the most important issues to address in the long term. Read more...


Attend one of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Meetings
SCAT is hosting two meetings to receive input on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit line. The meetings will launch the Environmental Assessment process, which will provide an opportunity for the public to review the alternatives that have been considered, learn about the Environmental Assessment process and provide input for the study's goals and objectives. The meetings are:

Wednesday, August 26th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm & Thursday, August 27th, 10:00am - 12:00pmGeldbart Auditorium, Selby Public Library1331 First Street, Sarasota, Fl.

Transportation in the News
One of the goals of our newsletter is to keep you informed of transportation developments that affect our local area. Check out the latest transportation news below!

• New look at growth emerges in Sarasota County
• Buchanan Wins Approval of $750,000 for Transportation and Community Services
• Fitzgerald prompts Florida to "Do a 360"
• Report on Corridor approaches to integrating transportation and land use

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates in their inbox? Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.org

TRAC is a committee of the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA). SEA is an initiative of SCOPE. Learn more at www.scopexcel.org.

July 21 TRAC Update

(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)

Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee
TRAC Update
Newsletter 2
July 21, 2009


We'd like to invite you to attend the Board of County Commissioners meeting tomorrow afternoon. TRAC will be presenting our case study of Bee Ridge Road to the commissioners and we would love it if some participants in the case study could attend. You'll also find transportation news from our region & beyond!
Best,
TRAC

Final Report Complete
A Vision for Bee Ridge: Guiding Principles & Recommendations for Transportation & RedevelopmentWe hope you'll discuss the report on our blog. www.beeridgetod.blogspot.com

You're Invited
TRAC will be presenting our final report before the Board of County Commissioners. We hope you can attend.
When: July 22nd
Where: 1660 Ringling Blvd., Commission Chambers, 1st Floor (Map)
Time: 1:30 pm

Transportation in the News
One of the goals of our newsletter is to keep you informed of transportation developments that affect our local area. Check out the latest transportation news below!

• Some stimulus transportation projects are hitting roadblocks (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
• U.S. Transportation Secretary visits Sarasota County (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
• U.S. Withheld data on the risks of driving while on a cellphone (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates in their inbox? Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.org.

TRAC is a committee of the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA). SEA is an initiative of SCOPE. Learn more at www.scopexcel.org.

July 7, 2009 TRAC Update

(This is an online version of our bi-monthly newsletter. If you would like to recieve this in your inbox, please see information at bottom of post)


Transportation & Redevelopment Action Committee

TRAC Update
Newsletter 1
July 7, 2009


We would like to thank you for your involvement in the Bee Ridge Road case study and your interest in being on our mailing list. In this, the first TRAC newsletter, we hope to update you on issues relating to transportation in Sarasota County. We are extremely excited to inform you of our progress.

Best,
TRAC


Final Report Complete
A Vision for Bee Ridge: Guiding Principles & Recommendations for Transportation & RedevelopmentWe hope you'll discuss the report on our blog. www.beeridgetod.blogspot.com


You're Invited
TRAC will be presenting our final report before the Board of County Commissioners. We hope you can attend.When: July 22ndWhere: 1660 Ringling Blvd., Commission Chambers, 1st Floor (Map)Time: TBA (TRAC will update)

Transportation in the News
One of the goals of our newsletter is to keep you informed of transportation developments that affect our local area. Each newsletter will have a section sharing articles about transportation.

• How Florida plans to spend transportation money from the federal economic stimulus package (Bradenton Herald Tribune)
  


• SCAT adds two green vehicles to its fleet (SNN)
  


• Federal regulators are taking comments from the public on the performance of the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Agency (Sarasota Herald Tribune)

Do you know someone who would like to receive TRAC updates in their inbox? Anyone can subscribe by emailing Kate at kirwin@scopexcel.org.

TRAC Final Report Released

The committee has released our final report on the Case Study of Bee Ridge Road. This report consists of 21 principles for future development along Bee Ridge. The principles come from the focus groups we talked to througout the first half of 2009 as well as our Community-Wide Forum. The report is below.

A Vision for Bee Ridge: Guiding Principles & Recommendations for Transportation & Redevelopment

We hope citizens will use the comment space below to discuss the report.

TRAC will present this report before the Board of County Commissioners on July 22nd, time TBA. We invite you to attend the presentation.

Transit Oriented Design Citizen's Guide

As part of our case study of Bee Ridge, our committee worked with a sociology class from New College of Florida. One of their tasks was to write a Citizen's Guide with information about smart growth and sustainable development. We are happy to share the Guide with you below.

Sections include:

• Existing conditions along Bee Ridge Road and the current framework of policy and
  development that have helped to create them.
• Possible alternatives for re-development along Bee Ridge, including plans for mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods.
• The importance of planning and the methods to create thriving economic destinations and vital community spaces.
• Case studies of comparable regions that have successfully implemented transit based redevelopment.

Click here to read the Citizen's Guide.

Upcoming Focus Groups

The group has a few upcoming focus groups and appearances throughout the month of April. You are welcome to attend any of the below meetings:

April 4th, 9:00 am, Waldemere Fire Station
Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations (CCNA) meeting
We will make an announcement during the meeting, as well as being present with posters and surveys for pre and post meeting conversation.

April 9th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Central Church of Christ
Focus Group
The group will do a short presentation about transit oriented design followed by an exercize in visioning the future. Specific groups of interest include neighborhoods east of I-75 and the Central Church of Christ congregation.

April 13th, 7:00pm, Sarasota Garden Club
Sarasota Council Of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) meeting
We will have 5 minutes during the meeting to ask people to stay briefly afterward for a short survey. We will also have posters and handouts before and after the meeting.

April 20th, 5:30pm - 7:00pm Church of the Palms
Focus Group
The group will do a short presentation about transit oriented design followed by an exercize in visioning the future. Specific groups of interest include neighborhoods near the church, businesspeople, and parent-teacher school groups.

May 1 Transit Forum

You are invited to attend a community-wide Forum on Transit Oriented Design along Bee Ridge Road on May 1st from 1:00 – 4:00 at the Suncoast Polytechnic High School on Beneva Road.

The Forum will begin with a panel discussion among local transit entities (Sarasota County, SCAT, TBARTA) followed by interactive visioning exercises to gain clarity about what our community wants for Bee Ridge and beyond. Attendees will use of Polytechnic High School's interactive voting technology to compare and contrast different ideas for Bee Ridge's future. Community input at the forum will help create a “roadmap” for elected officials, the business community and citizens to move into the future.

Please bring a friend or family member. Young adults are especially welcome to experience the civic process.

Please RSVP for the event online by clicking here or by phone by calling Kate at 941-365-8751.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about the effort that are not answered by this blog, please call Kate at 941-365-8751 or email her at kirwin (at) scopexcel (dot) org.

Welcome!

We're glad you found your way to the SEA Transportation and Redevelopment Action Committee webpage and blog!

Please use the menu on the right to learn more about our project and its goals. Feel free to leave comments on any of the posts - we would love to hear from you. This website is a work in progress, so if you have any questions or concerns, let us know.

Thanks,
TRAC

About Transit Oriented Design

When the committee first came together, we spent a lot of time researching transit oriented design before we settled on undertaking a case study. The below are some transit oriented design principles:

• Provide a convenient mix of uses with compact building design
• Design small-scale for a pedestrian-friendly aesthetic
• Preserve and create open/public spaces
• Incorporate a variety of transportation options
• Connect to transport hubs
• Retrofit existing spaces
• Include community collaboration in design
• Ensure open, fair and predictable development decisions

We also looked at the benefits of transit oriented design - after all, why propose it if it did not positively affect communities? Some of the benefits are below:

• Reduces traffic
• Leads to reduced transportation costs in terms of time and money
• Reduces CO2 emissions and our dependence on imported oil
• Increases sense of community
• Reduces childhood obesity, hypertension and heart attacks
• Increases accessibility of amenities for young and elderly, reduces isolation of elderly

TRAC Mission

The citizen-led Transportation and Redevelopment Action Committee (TRAC) has been working to start a community conversation on transit oriented development and smart growth through a case study of the Bee Ridge Road corridor. TRAC finished this study in April 2009. You can read our final report here.

The goal of the Bee Ridge Case Study was to inspire stakeholders in the Bee Ridge Corridor and beyond to envision a Bee Ridge Road that would better serve the adjoining neighborhoods and the whole community—both as a transportation corridor and as a place where people might live, work, shop and play. This community input helped to create a “roadmap” for elected officials, the business community and citizens to move Bee Ridge into the future.

Now, TRAC has moved into our second phase - connecting our supporters to transportation related news, articles and events that happen in Sarasota County. To that end, we publish a biweekly e-newsletter. If you would like to recieve that newsletter in your inbox, please email Kate at kirwin (at) scopexcel (dot) org.

Transit Oriented Design - Pictures & Visuals

Here is a map of the Bee Ridge Road corridor with places of interest shown:

Below are a series of visuals showing the possibilities for transit oriented design in different settings.

A series showing redesign of a shopping mall:

A series showing the redevelopment of a street:

Why now? Why Bee Ridge?

We are at a unique and important moment with regard to transit in Sarasota County for a variety of reasons:

• 2008 Urban Service Boundary voter referendum will lead to a focus on redevelopment and infill.
• The current downturn notwithstanding, fuel prices are increasing, leading to a decreased focus on driving and an increased focus on creating more transportation options (walking, bicycling, public transit).
• The real estate downturn allows us to “breathe” and the opportunity to create a future that we can build by design, not default.
• Regional and local government transportation initiatives have recently grown legs. This includes Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority’s $2 million funding and the SCAT’s Bus Rapid Transit application to the Federal Transit Authority.

Bee Ridge Road is a natural case study for transit oriented development because it:

• Is solely under local control, falling under the jurisdictions of Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota.
• Has a significant number of large lots. Larger lots are easier to redevelop for transit use, as there are more options.
• Has been identified by TBARTA as a significant east/west corridor in Sarasota County.

While the focus of this particular case study is Bee Ridge Road, the process is meant to be applicable to any area of Sarasota County.

The Committee

The SEA Transportation and Redevelopment Action Committee was formed after the Summit for Environmental Action (SEA), held in February 2008. At SEA, community members voted on actions we could take locally to improve our environment. One of those actions was encapsulated in a slogan - “Great Transit Connecting Great Communities.”

More than a year later, that slogan has become a robust community initiative. Committee members come from a range of backgrounds and have met twice a month since April 2008. The committee has been working to be transparent and inclusive and has welcomed partnerships along the way. Recently, TRAC has been enhanced by a New College of Florida sociology class. The class is working on the project as a way to learn more about transit in our community