What’s Hot in BRAC?

Thursday, September 11, 2008

What’s Hot in BRAC?

Today, a new traffic pattern started along North Wood and North Palmer Road. All personnel need to be very cautious of the new traffic changes and drive very safely and slowly. The new traffic pattern affects all drivers coming in and out of the North Gate. The temporary road guides drivers through G-Lot with signage and between barriers. Pathways for pedestrian and bicycle traffic that connect North Wood to North Palmer Road are clearly marked. The new traffic pattern will be in affect through December 2008.

As BRAC construction projects continue, patients, visitors and employees are reminded that along with patient care, safety of all personnel aboard the campus is a primary concern. There are many pedestrians, bicyclists, and school children on campus. Personnel must be attentive more than ever because school is back in session and many of those children walk along the front of the facility to get to their various destinations. Personnel are reminded to be more watchful of the pedestrian walks, and any bicyclists. Be mindful of your surroundings, pay attention to and obey signage when driving aboard the campus.

Parking on campus has become very limited due to the BRAC construction. Personnel are highly encouraged to use other modes of commuting such as mass transit, rideshare, biking or walking. Additionally, patients, visitors and employees are reminded that general parking is available in Lots G, E, D, K, H, I and along Stone Lake Road (between Lot K and Lot N). Parking spaces at the Navy Lodge, the Fisher Houses, the Navy Exchange, the Bowling Alley and any other retail establishments are restricted to patron parking only.

The construction zone is fully operational. Only authorized personnel on official business are allowed in the zone. All personnel must wear proper protective equipment. At a minimum, this includes hard hats, safety vests and steel-toed shoes. All personnel are highly encouraged to be cautious and careful when in this area, especially when crossing to and from the Metro station.

Commuter Information Pamphlet⁄Literature Racks: Three brand new commuter information pamphlet racks have been installed in key areas throughout the Medical Center.

The racks are in the following locations: Building 9, Floor 1, at the bottom of the escalators, just below the pharmacy; Building 9, Floor 1, next to the coffee shop that serves Starbucks; and in Building 2, just off Main Street near the Red Box DVD Rental station and the new Dippin’ Dots vending machine. Everyone is encouraged to stop by the pamphlet racks to view information about county and regional bus and rail routes (to include Metro, VRE and MARC), carpooling⁄vanpooling assistance and biking, guaranteed ride home and ‘‘Live Near Your Work” programs.

Commuter Solutions: Have you visited the Commuter Solutions Web page lately? Visit at http:⁄⁄www.bethesda.med.navy.mil⁄Professional⁄Public_Affairs⁄BRAC⁄BRAC_Headlines⁄commuter.aspx to see the latest information on how to make the daily commute to NNMC easier. This information can also be found on the NNMC Intranet.

Interested in Carpooling?: Visit http:⁄⁄www.mwcog.org⁄commuter2⁄index.html to view the details of a regional ridesharing program. Commuter Connections pairs up carpoolers from NJ, MD, PA, VA, WV and NC. Enter a desired departure time from home⁄work into the database, and shortly after receive information identifying potential matches for carpooling. You can contact the potential matches, discuss guidelines for carpooling and determine if the individuals are a good a fit. Register for carpooling at: http:⁄⁄maps.mwcog.org⁄CCNewWebsite⁄commuter⁄ridesharing⁄register.html.

Bike Racks: New bike racks have been installed at the entrance to Building 54, directly to the left of the motorcycle parking.

NNMC Shuttle Services: The new ‘‘On-base Only” and ‘‘Metro Only” shuttles started Aug. 1. These shuttles operate from 6:10 a.m. to 8:55 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The ‘‘On-base” shuttle starts at Building 10, rides northbound, returns to Building 10, and then rides southbound. A second shuttle has been added for the convenience of the patients and staff members. Shuttles will indicate their direction via signage on the window, northbound or southbound.

New Flag Pole-to-Flag Pole Service: This shuttle leaves NNMC Building 10 and drops off at WRAMC Building 2. The service has two busses (one at each building) that operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the weekdays only. Each bus will leave its respective building promptly at 6 a.m. and end its day at 6.p.m. There is no cost to ride. Patients and staff members are encouraged to use this shuttle. The last shuttle departs each building at 5:30 p.m.