By Travis Edwards
Fort Belvoir Public Affairs Office
Thursday, May 19, 2011

Whether you are planning for tomorrow’s commute or looking toward the future in anticipation of increased growth and gridlock, local transportation planners have resources and programs that may fit your plans.

Fort Belvoir hosts a commuter workshop for post employees, residents, and military personnel at the Community Center Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., when dozens of exhibitors will be available to educate, inform, and empower motorists, according to Juanita Green, the post’s transportation demand management coordinator.

Some information that will be highlighted includes ridesharing benefits and programs; transit benefits; carpool and vanpool agencies; telework and telecommuting.

Green and planners from surrounding counties, as well as state and federal entities, have worked together on issues and programs in advance of the BRAC and regional growth-related traffic.

Fairfax County planners will attend the workshop, present their programs and market a new bus route expansion plan that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will vote on soon.

“We look forward to participating with Fort Belvoir in this workshop,” said Laura Miller, Fairfax County BRAC coordinator. “In addition to supporting Fort Belvoir and providing general information on transportation options in the county, we are also inviting commuters to attend our citizen information meetings for BRAC-related bus changes to be held June 1, 4 and 7 in the community.”

“As part of the Base Realignment and Closure of 2005 and the environmental impact reviews that followed, it was determined that a full-time transportation coordinator would be needed at Fort Belvoir,” said Green, the coordinator the post hired. “Since I came on board, it has been priority number one to increase awareness of existing programs to the work force.”

“We really want to make sure everyone knows about the Middle Class Tax Relief Act that was passed through Congress in December 2010 that extended the $230 maximum monthly limit for transit benefit stipends through December 2011,” Green said. “In today’s economy, a commuter could save more than a $1,000 a year by taking mass transit options to work.”

Interested commuters can get more information or register for the event at Fort Belvoir Rideshare website.

“While registration is not required for attendance, it will help event organizers to better plan for the event,” Green said. “We want to maximize attendance as much as possible. “

While every mission partner has their own transportation demand management policies, the garrison has recently updated its own TDM plans.

“Transportation demand management is not about one plan, it’s about a whole bunch of plans, programs, tasks, and activities that work together to do their part to reduce traffic and single occupancy vehicle trips in the region,” said Stephen Brooks, Fort Belvoir deputy to the garrison commander. “We encourage rideshare, we offer alternating days off and telework for eligible positions, and are looking for ways to help facilitate an internal shuttle.”

Editor’s note: The Fort Belvoir Rideshare website is www.belvoir.army.mil/rideshare. The transportation demand management coordinator can be contacted at FB-PAIO-TDM@conus.army.mil or 703-805-2921.