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NVTA committee previews Transportation Technology action plan, sets review timeline
Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Transportation Technology Committee reviewed a draft action plan tied to the Transportation Technology Strategic Plan, agreed staff would distribute the draft by week’s end with a two‑week comment period, and set March 24 and April milestones for committee and Authority consideration.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s Transportation Technology Committee on Feb. 10 reviewed a draft action plan tied to the Authority’s Transportation Technology Strategic Plan and set a near‑term schedule for review and public engagement.
Chairman Snyder opened the meeting and staff described the proposed action plan as the implementation arm of the strategic plan. "This is where the rubber hits the road," said Keith Jasper, NVTA staff, explaining the action plan will identify what actions will be taken, when they will happen and who will be responsible. Jasper told the committee the action plan is "currently a 23 page document" and that staff will share the draft with committee members by the end of next week with a suggested two‑week comment deadline.
The document’s structure, as presented by Mackenzie, would include an introduction integrated into the larger strategic plan, short strategy‑specific summaries for each of the eight strategies, and a consolidated action table showing timing (near, mid and long term), triggers and responsible parties. Mackenzie said summaries will list assumptions about technology adoption and anticipated triggers such as legislative changes or market developments, and that the action plan will include measures of effectiveness and a monitoring and update cycle.
Jasper outlined the planned review pathway: the action plan and related TTSP materials will be shared with the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), the Planning and Programming Committee (PPC) and the Planning Coordination Advisory Committee (PCAC) during their February meetings, with committee recommendations sought in March and a potential Authority consideration in April. NVTA staff also announced a virtual roundtable on March 10 focused on technology deployments and policy topics, and proposed March 24 for the next Transportation Technology Committee meeting to review feedback.
Committee members pressed staff on two points: the level of specificity in action descriptions and the review timeline. One member asked whether actions would be specified at a technical level—for example, adopting particular data specifications or standards—or framed as broader project types; Jasper said the level of detail will vary by strategy and by timeframe, with near‑term items more detailed and long‑term items framed as placeholders.
Members also sought assurance the committee would see materials before they are shared with other committees. Jasper responded that the material going to other committees in February would largely be items the Transportation Technology Committee had already reviewed, and that staff would share the new action plan with this committee first; he said the two‑week comment period is a target and can be extended if members need more time.
Monica Backlund and other members urged attention to implementation and coordination. Backlund noted several ongoing initiatives align with the strategic plan and said implementation will involve both the Authority and member jurisdictions. Kathy (surname not specified) highlighted parallel efforts at the Virginia Department of Transportation and a strike‑team approach to operations technology, and encouraged collaboration.
Next steps: staff will distribute the draft action plan to committee members by the end of the week, invite comments on a two‑week deadline (extendable on request), present TTSP materials to other committees in February, seek committee recommendations in March, convene the March 10 roundtable and return to the Transportation Technology Committee on March 24 before Authority consideration in April.
Votes at a glance: the committee approved a resolution to hold the meeting electronically under the governor’s declared emergency, unanimously approved the Jan. 13 meeting summary and unanimously approved adjournment.
The Transportation Technology Committee meeting adjourned after the scheduled business; staff expect to issue the draft action plan and a follow‑up schedule to members.
