Held at the offices of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority

October 3rd 2002 - 1:30 p.m.

MINUTES

APPROVAL OF BOARD AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 3, 2002

NEW BUSINESS AND BOARD COMMENTS

ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Mr. Lester and seconded by Mr. Rhodenizer to approve agenda of the October 3, 2002 meeting. The meeting agenda was approved unanimously.

Motion was made by Mr. Lester and seconded by Mr. Rhodenizer to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2002. Ms. Gay requested that the minutes be modified to accurately reflect her statement to encourage mixed-use development around the rail stations. The amended meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

Mr. Mullins presented the month’s activities: 

Multi-modal Passenger Terminal (MMPT)

Staff has coordinated with the PMT members on comments related to the draft RFP for the MMPT schematic design and is awaiting more comments to finalize the scope of work for schematic design. A meeting has taken place with GSA and Project for Public Spaces officials regarding renovation plans for both the Richard B. Russell and Martin Luther King, Jr. Buildings in Atlanta’s Federal District and connections to the MMPT.  The title work is complete but is now under review.  Completion is expected this month.  Staff is working diligently and taking extra care in developing the scope of work and is currently seeking a broader range of advice and counsel.

Rail Corridor Implementation Work  

The environmental work is under way. Work continues on the preparation of the Atlanta-Athens corridor Environmental document for submission to FTA.  Still is on schedule and anticipate receiving FONSI approval in Spring 2003. Moving forward on the Macon Local Advisory Committee (MACLAC) meeting.  Notices were sent to every local government that touches the corridor as well as development authorities.  Already have received several responses to the invitation letters sent for the MACLAC kick-off meeting scheduled for October 15, 2002 in Griffin.  Local agencies are highly interested in resumption of outreach activities. The meeting will be a briefing on the status of the corridor work and get everyone acquainted and brought up to speed.

Grade Crossing Safety Implementation

Staff has met with GDOT Office of Traffic Operations, and Utilities staff to review the guiding principles and draft recommendations for grade crossing safety at highway-rail grade crossings along the Atlanta-Macon rail corridor.  Highway crossing upgrades are a significant part of the efforts needed before operating passenger trains in the corridor. Staff has tentatively scheduled meetings with GDOT Districts 3 and 7 over the next couple of weeks to review guiding principles and draft recommendations for grade crossing safety along the Atlanta-Macon rail corridor.  The Final report for Grade Crossing Safety Implementation plan should be ready in early 2003.  The next phase leading to the final report would be to review findings with local governments and those meetings will take place shortly.

SEHSR /Amtrak Issue

Mr. Mullins indicated that work continues to take place on the Southeast High Speed Rail (Charlotte-Atlanta) FRA planning study.

Station Development Guidelines

Mr. Roberts presented various platform designs for consideration for the Station Development Guidelines. Mr. Roberts indicated other presentations at future meetings would evaluate and show the parking lots, entranceways and the areas around the stations. Mr. Roberts indicated that, if feasible, high platforms have advantages over low platforms.  Mr. Roberts indicated that a combination of design and to accommodate freight railroad operation would lead to building a low platform. Mr. Roberts indicated the kind of platform that is planned to be in service would be eight inches above the top of rail. This allows the passenger to step from the platform onto the steps of the train.  All of the commuter equipment that is planned for consideration will have a step up element. 

A discussion followed about the American Disabilities Act and the impact it has on developing rail stations standards and training of the train operators.  Various types of lighting were presented to illustrate the types of security involved in designing stations.  The expectation is to buy push-pull equipment and operate on both directions on the same track. This will provide cost savings on station construction.  Each of the station will be developed based on a standard design; each locality may to upgrade or modify the basic design at its expense.

Ms. Gay requested each committee member prepare for the next series of presentations with thoughts and preferences of potential rail design features to continue discussion of the Station Design Guidelines.

Adjournment:

There being no further business to come before the Project Management Team, the meeting adjourned at 2:44 pm.