The Metro Atlanta Chamber's transportation agenda involves longer-term investments in improving mobility and reducing traffic congestion to position our region for robust economic growth and a better quality of life. In partnership with other planning agencies, the chamber works within the metro area to bring focus to the region's most congested corridors and major activity centers. It also aims to enhance connectivity between metro Atlanta and other southeast cities by advocating for commuter and high-speed rail.

In 1997, the Metro Atlanta Chamber created the Metro Atlanta Transportation Initiative (MATI), a region-wide task force of business, academic and environmental leaders to propose a regional approach to transportation planning. It led to the development of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the Atlanta Regional Commission's aspiration-based transportation plan.

The chamber advocates for expanding transit by considering alternatives to light and heavy rail, most recently introducing the option for a system of rubber-tired Flex-Trolleys that run much faster and more frequently than trains while offering ammenities and comfort.

The Metro Atlanta Chamber's Transportation Policy Committee is chaired by Joe Leonard, chairman of Airtran Airways.

Fact Sheet: 2007 Transportation

Commuter Rail Study

Background
As metro Atlanta looks for ways to address its traffic congestion challenge effectively, a multi-modal approach will be needed to address our future mobility. Commuter rail – like other transit modes such as Light Rail, Streetcar, Bus Rapid Transit, etc. – is a potentially viable transit mode for the metro Atlanta region and is one of several alternatives to the automobile. Through the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the state has a commuter rail plan for metro Atlanta and Georgia. The GDOT data on commuter rail is, in some cases, as much as 12 years old. Currently, the metro Atlanta region’s Transit Planning Board (TPB) is developing a comprehensive and prioritized transit project plan for the region. Without action, commuter rail will not be considered in the same light as the other transit modes due to the age/integrity of the data.

Purpose of the Study
The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the TPB and GDOT, is undertaking a study to update the region’s commuter rail plan. This study effort will put the quality of the commuter rail data on par with the other transit modes as the TPB develops its comprehensive and prioritized transit project plan for the region.

Purpose of the Study’s Steering Committee
The day-to-day workings of the study are being driven by a staff group from TPB, GDOT, ARC, GRTA, and MARTA, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber. A steering committee, however, has been created to advise the commuter rail study process. The purpose of this steering committee to:

• Educate a broader group of stakeholders on the effort, both in process and results;
• Ensure that the advantages and drawbacks of this technology are well understood;
• Ensure that the study is using the right data and making correct assumptions; and
• Solicit feedback during the process to ensure the study answers the right questions.

Policy Research

Sept 7, 2007 Commuter Rail Symposium
Presentation: Jacki Bacharach (Metrolink)
Presentation: David Solow (Metrolink)
Presentation: Lonnie Blaydes (Trinity Railway Express) Presentation: Dale Zehner (Virginia Railway Express)

2nd Commuter Rail Study Committee Meeting on August 16, 2007
Agenda
Presentation

1st Commuter Rail Study Committee Meeting on July 10, 2007
Agenda
Presentation

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