Commuter Statistics for the Thomas Jefferson Planning District

Contents

• Commuter Trip Patterns (1990 Census)
• Commuter Travel Modes (1990 Census)
• Population Statistics
• Average Daily Traffic on Major Corridors, 1970 - 2015
• Average Daily Vehicle Miles, Primary and Interstate Roads In Metro Area, 1990-96
• Transit Ridership
• Progress with Traffic Reduction Initiatives 1991-98

Commuter Trip Patterns (1990 Census)

• The number of workers in the region has nearly tripled since 1970 (31,400 to 83,700)
• 75% of Charlottesville's workforce works in Charlottesville; 20% travels to Albemarle
• 49% of Albemarle's workforce works in Albemarle; 43% travels to Charlottesville
• Charlottesville-Albemarle draws 61% of Greene's workers, 32% of Nelson's workers, 57% of Fluvanna's workers, and 15% of Louisa's workers.
• Albemarle drew a higher percentage of commuters from every locality (including Charlottesville) in 1990 compared to 1980

Commuter Travel Modes (1990 Census)

• The number of workers in 1990 was 80,896, a 24% increase over 1980
• 70% of the region's employees drove alone to work
  • The percentage driving along increased 13% compared to 1980
  • The number driving alone increased 52%
• 18% of the region's employees carpooled
  • The percentage carpooling decreased 10%
  • The number carpooling decreased 21%
• 3% of the region's employees used public transit
  • The percentage using transit was unchanged
  • The number using transit increased 7%
• Less than one percent bicycled
  • The percentage bicycling decreased about half a percent
  • The number bicycling decreased 3 percent
• 5% walked
  • The percentage walking decreased 8%
  • The number walking decreased 16%
• 3% worked at home
  • The percentage working at home increased about half a percent
  • The number working at home increased 51%

Population Statistics

• The number of persons in the region has increased from 115,235 in 1970 to 186,500 in 1997; that's 71,000 more people, a 62% increase
• In the early 1970's, Albemarle was growing the fastest, adding 30% from 1970-1975
• During the late 1970's and 1980's, Fluvanna and Greene began to outpace Albemarle's rate of growth, although Albemarle still drew the highest numbers of people to the region
• 1997 population estimates show:
  • Albemarle at 79,500;
  • Charlottesville at 38,100;
  • Fluvanna at 17,600;
  • Greene at 13,600;
  • Louisa at 23,900;
  • Nelson at 13,800.
  • The region at 186,500.

• From 1990 to 1997 -
  • Albemarle grew by about 11,000 people (+17%);
  • Charlottesville lost 2,300 (-2%)
  • Fluvanna grew by 3,000 (+42%, the third fastest growing county in VA),
  • Greene by 5,000 (+32%),
  • Louisa by 3,500 (+14%);
  • Nelson by 1,000 (+5%),
  • The region by 22,000 (+13%)
  • Virginia grew 7%.
  • The Charlottesville Metropolitan Statistical Area (Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, and Fluvanna) was the fastest growing MSA in VA; 1997 population was nearly 150,000.

• Year 2010 Projections show -
  • Albemarle at 96,500 (a 21% increase from 1997);
  • Charlottesville at 39,500 (a 4% increase);
  • Fluvanna at 26,000 (a 48% increase);
  • Greene at 19,000 (a 40% increase);
  • Louisa at 30,000 (a 26% increase);
  • Nelson at 14,900 (a 8% increase).
  • The region at 225,900 (a 21% increase).

• From 1970 to 1990, the region grew by -
  • 48,975 people (a 43% increase)
  • 25,567 households (a 72% increase)
  • 81,263 automobiles (a 206% increase)

Average Daily Traffic On Major Corridors, 1970-2015

Average Daily Vehicle Miles, Primary and Interstate Roads In Metro Area, 1990-96

• Albemarle: 20% increase (1.8 million to 2.1 million)
• Fluvanna: 26% increase (216,000 to 271,000)
• Greene: 44% increase (177,000 to 256,000)

Transit Ridership

• In 1998-99, CTS carried 722,257 people. Since then, annual ridership has been less every year by as much as nine percent. As of 1997, ridership was eight percent less than in 1989.

• In 1988-89, UTS carried 3,353,314 people. Since then, annual ridership has been less every year except one, by as much as ten percent (the one year of increase, ridership was up one percent). As of 1997, ridership was three percent less than in 1989.
• An April, 1997 survey of UTS found 85% of riders were students, 55% of whom lived off grounds (among the student body as a whole, 64% live off grounds). 10% of riders were staff and 3% were faculty.
• In 1998-99, JAUNT carried 147,542 people. Since then, ridership has been growing every year. As of 1997, ridership was 228,191, 55% more than in 1989.
• Most of JAUNT's ridership is disabled people and/or human service agency clients. However, JAUNT has adding to ridership on commuter routes recently, which serve the general public as well as people with disabilites.

Progress with Traffic Reduction Initiatives 1991-98

CATS Plan

• New non-highway policies and initiatives included in Year 2015 update
• New model being developed for Year 2020 to include transit, bicycle, pedestrian analyses
• Information on funding for road alternatives being developed for Year 2020

RideShare

• Commuter Opportunities Group: employer fairs, surveys, Give Air a Brake
• Guaranteed Ride Home program
• Marketing Plan
• Park and Ride Lot development
• Neighborhood Trip Reduction handbook
• Alternatives to Single-Occupant Vehicle Advisory Committee (FY99)

CTS, UTS, and JAUNT

• Big Blue on Route 29
• Downtown Transfer Station, Amtrak station, UVA multimodal parking garage
• Increased frequency on main city streets
• LINK service to neighborhoods
• Night/weekend service funded for JAUNT FY99
• Transfer system/ route coordination
• Electric buses
• Plans for Intelligent Transportation System equipment upgrades

Rail

• Amtrak Station
• Commuter Rail feasibility studies being considered

Land Use

• Albemarle Development Areas Initiatives Study; City mixed use development
• Regional Planning Summit (scheduled for fall 1998)
• Sustainability Council
• Eastern Land Use/Transportation Planning Initiative
• Route 29 Access Management Studies (Albemarle, Greene)

Bicycle/Pedestrian

• City Bicycle Advisory Committee
• Regional Bicycle Advisory Committee (to be appointed FY99)
• Route 29 Pedestrian Crossing Study (recommendations December 1998)
• Albemarle public works department formed (can address sidewalks)
• UVA Groundswalk proposal
• Traffic calming projects in City; pilot programs in County

Parking

• Park and Ride lot development: 6 new lots for Big Blue; Zions Crossroad lot to open soon
• City on-street spaces reserved for vanpools (at NGIC)
• Downtown parking garages agree to reserve preferred carpool spaces