The New River Valley Passenger Rail Study was chosen to receive a 2016 Excellence in Regional Transportation Planning Award. Each year the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) recognizes noteworthy projects and practices in rural and small metropolitan areas that help meet regional needs through various program areas.
In 2016, the awards program chose 30 projects that help meet regional needs in innovative ways, through cooperation with partners, increasing system and community resilience, and in many cases using creative funding. Award winning projects serve as models for many different transportation program areas that rural development organizations engage in. A full list of recipients is available online here: https://ruraltransportation.org/excellence-in-regional-transportation-award-winners-announced/.
Regional Commission staff attended this year’s National Regional Transportation Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Passenger Rail Study work was presented during the Opening Plenary Session, Inspiring Innovations from the Field. The conference also provided an excellent opportunity to learn about DOT and regional collaboration, freight and safety planning, and learn about the future directions of Federal transportation programs.
The Regional Commission received its first Excellence in Regional Transportation Planning Award in 2009 for the Employment Mobility Study, and has received a total of six (including the 2016 award). The Regional Commission was pleased to partner with the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Passenger Rail 2020 Committee on this project.
For further information about the project visit: https://nrvrc.org/nrvpassengerrailstudy/ or contact Elijah Sharp (esharp@nrvrc.org), 540-639-9313, ext. 210.