The Triangle (North Carolina)

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Counties in the Research Triangle area are red and counties sometimes included are in orange.
Counties in the Research Triangle area are red and counties sometimes included are in orange.

The Research Triangle, commonly referred to as "The Triangle", is a region in the Piedmont of North Carolina in the United States, anchored by the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The region is comprised of two Metropolitan Statistical areas, Raleigh-Cary, NC, and Durham, NC. Its estimated total population as of 2005 was 1,509,560. The research universities of Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are located in this region. The "Triangle" name was cemented in the public consciousness in the 1950s with the creation of Research Triangle Park, home to numerous high-tech companies and enterprises. Although the name is commonly used to refer to the cities, "The Triangle" originally referred to the universities, whose research facilities and the educated workforce they provide are the major attraction for home owners ,businesses located in the Park. The Triangle's population is among the most educated in the United States, with one of the highest number of Ph.D.s per capita.[1] The region should not be confused with "The Triad", which is the region directly west of the Triangle. Most of the Triangle is represented by, and closely associated with, the second, fourth and thirteenth congressional districts.

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The Triangle region, as defined for statistical purposes as the Raleigh-Durham-Cary-Dunn CSA is generally considered to comprise 7 counties, although the U.S. Census Bureau divided the region into 2 metropolitan statistical areas and 1 micropolitan area in 2003. Some local television networks define the region as Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville. Although Fayetteville, North Carolina, is nearly 50 miles from Raleigh's city limits, it is in the designated market area.

The secondary education setup in the Triangle is similar to that of the majority of the state of North Carolina, in which there are countywide school systems (the exception is Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools alongside Orange County Schools). The Wake County Public School System, which includes the cities of Raleigh and Cary, is the largest school system in the region and the largest school system in the State of North Carolina, with enrollment reaching 134,002 on the 20th day of the 2006-07 school year. [1] The other larger systems in the region rank as such: Durham County, Orange County, and rapidly growing Johnston County.

Due to the number of colleges and universities in the area, NCAA sports are very popular. The Atlantic Coast Conference member North Carolina State University Wolfpack is situated in West Raleigh, and fellow ACC rivals, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels, and the Duke University Blue Devils, are no more than a 30 minute drive away. In addition, Wake Forest University in nearby Winston-Salem brings the total number of ACC schools to four. The Pirates of East Carolina University reside 75 miles (121 km) away in Greenville, North Carolina. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill won the NCAA basketball championship in 1957, 1982, 1993, and 2005. North Carolina State won the NCAA basketball championship in 1974 and 1983. The Duke Blue Devils won the NCAA basketball championship in 1991, 1992, and 2001. In 1946, the arrival of head coach Everett Case at North Carolina State marked the beginning of the rapid growth of basketball in North Carolina.

The competition among North Carolina State, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Duke is sometimes referred to as Tobacco Road by sportscasters. Three historically black colleges, including new Division I member North Carolina Central University and Division II members St. Augustine College and Shaw University also provide a basis for the strength of college sports in the area.

Anchored by leading technology firms, government and world-class universities and medical centers, the area's economy has performed exceptionally well. Significant increases in employment, earnings, personal income and retail sales are projected over the next 15 years.

The region's growing, vibrant high-technology community includes such companies as IBM, SAS Institute, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks, Network Appliance (NetApp) and Credit Suisse First Boston. In addition to high-tech, the region is consistently ranked in the top 3 in the U.S. with concentration in life science companies. Some of these companies include GlaxoSmithKline, Biogen Idec, BASF, Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk, Novozymes, and Wyeth. Durham-based Research Triangle Park and North Carolina State University's Centennial Campus in Raleigh support innovation through R&D and technology transfer among the region's companies and research universities (including Duke University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).

The Triangle is served by three major interstate highways: I-85, I-40 and I-95, their spurs: I-440 and I-540, and six secondary highways: U.S. Route 1, US 64, US 70, U.S. Route 401, and US 15 and US 501 which are multiplexed through most of the region as U.S. Route 15/501.

Two of the three interstates diverge from one another in Orange County with I-85 heading northeastward through northern Durham towards Virginia, while I-40 goes southeastward through southern Durham, straight through the heart of the region and serving as the main freeway through Raleigh. The spurs of I-440 and I-540, however are primarily located in Wake County around Raleigh. I-440 begins at the interchange of US 1 and I-40 southwest of downtown Raleigh and arcs its way around downtown with the formal designation as the Cliff Benson/Raleigh Beltline (co-signed with US 1 on three-fourths of its route) and ends at its junction with I-40 in southeast Raleigh. I-540 only has a quarter of its route open, but has already become known as the Outer Loop. It does currently serve as a northern arc for those who live in North Raleigh. I-95 serves the eastern edge of the region, crossing south-to-north through Johnston County.

The US Highways of 1, 15, and 64 spend a vast amount of their journeys through the region as limited-access freeways or as large highways with access roads. US 1 comes into the region from the southwest as Claude E. Pope Memorial Highway and then into Apex where it merges with US 64 and continues northeast towards Raleigh. The co-designation of the two highways lasts for a little more than 2 miles where US 1 joins I-440 and US 64 with I-40. Capital Boulevard, which is US 1 for half of its route and US 401 the other, is the other major thoroughfare through Raleigh.

North Carolina Highway 147, also known as the Durham Freeway, is a limited-access freeway that connects I-85 with I-40 in Durham County. The four-lane highway traverses through downtown Durham and goes through Research Triangle Park. The freeway is often designated as a detour route or used as an alternate route for I-40 in the Chapel Hill area, in case of accident or road construction.

There are currently multiple public transportation systems in the Triangle. Raleigh is served by the Capital Area Transit (CAT) municipal transit system, while Durham has the Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) system. Chapel Hill is served by Chapel Hill Transit, and Cary is also served by its own public transit systems. However, the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) works in cooperation with all area transit systems by offering transfers between its own routes and those of the other systems. There are plans on board to merge all of the area's individual systems into the TTA. TTA has also proposed a regional rail system to connect downtown Durham and downtown Raleigh with multiple stops in the RTP area, though this was effectively cancelled in 2006 when federal funding could not be made available [2]

Main article: Raleigh-Durham International Airport

The General Assembly of North Carolina chartered the Raleigh-Durham Aeronautical Authority in 1939, which would be changed in 1945 to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. The first new terminal opened in 1955. Terminal A opened in 1981. American Airlines began service to RDU in 1985.

RDU opened the 10,000 foot runway 5L-23R in 1986. American Airlines opened its North-South Hub operation at RDU in the new Terminal C in June 1987, greatly increasing the size of RDU's operations with a new terminal including a new apron and runway. American brought RDU its first international flights to Bermuda, Cancun, Paris and London.

In 1996, American Airlines ceased its hub operations at RDU due to Pan Am and Eastern. Pan Am and Eastern were Miami's main tenants until 1991, when both carriers went bankrupt. Their hubs at MIA were taken over by United Airlines and American Airlines. This created a difficulty in North Carolina competing with USAirway's hub in Charlotte and Delta's hub in Atlanta for passengers traveling between smaller cities in the North and South. Midway Airlines gave it a try, starting service in 1995 with the then somewhat novel concept of 50 seat CRJs providing service from its RDU hub primarily along the east coast. Midway, started in Chicago a few years before that, had some success after moving its operations to the midpoint of the eastern United States at RDU, however, the carrier ultimately couldn't overcome three weighty challenges: the arrival of Southwest Airlines, the refusal of American Airlines to renew the frequent flyer affiliation it had with Midway (thus dispatching numerous higher fare paying businesspeople to airlines with better reward destinations), and the final blow of 9-11. Midway Airlines filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy the very next day.

RDU's first international carrier, Air Canada, introduced service to Toronto in 1996.

Canadian Regional began service to Toronto in 1997.

The nation's largest low-fare carrier, Southwest Airlines, started service at RDU in 1999.

In February 2000, RDU is ranked as the nation's second fastest growing major airport in the United States, by Airports Council International, based on 1999 statistics. Passenger growth hit 24% over the previous year, putting RDU second only to Washington Dulles International Airport.

In 2001 RDU opened Terminal A south concourse for use by Northwest and Continental Airlines. The addition adds 46,000 square feet and 5 aircraft gates to the terminal.

America West began service at RDU with flights to Phoenix and Las Vegas in 2002. America West merged with US Airways in 2005.

In 2003, RDU also dedicated the new general aviation (GA) terminal.

In 2006 JetBlue started non-stop service between RDU and New York and Boston, with planned service to Fort Lauderdale starting in January 2008.

RDU is keeping pace with these changes by redeveloping Terminal C into a new state-of the-art terminal, scheduled to open in summer 2008. [3]

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority worked with the Triangle Transit Authority to complete a joint study. The study explored how the airport would connect to the regional rail system planned by the TTA.

Based on the study results, the Airport Authority and the TTA committed to providing access to the airport for rail passengers and will provide a bus shuttle until demand necessitates a direct rail link. When the rail opens in 2008, passengers will be able to catch a TTA shuttle at the rail system’s station located in Research Triangle Park.

Once the rail system is launched, the Airport Authority, along with the TTA, will monitor its usage and incorporate the possibility of a direct rail link to the airport in all future planning.

Notable shopping centers and malls:

Notable retailers:

Film Events:

Music Venues:

Theatre and Dance Events:

There are several newspapers and periodicals that serve the Triangle market:

The Triangle is home to UNC-TV, which is based out of UNC in Chapel Hill. The Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville Designated Market Area for television stations represents the Triangle and includes the following television stations:

The market is also host to the state's first online TV station: RTP-TV - Research Triangle Park Television which has programs of local interest broadcast over the Internet as well as Fox50 (WRAZ) through paid air-time.

The city of Raleigh is also home to the Triangle bureau of News 14 Carolina.

The Triangle is home to North Carolina Public Radio, a public radio station/NPR provider that brings in listeners around the country. Raleigh and a large part of the Triangle area is Arbitron radio market #43. Stations include:

FM stations:

  • 88.1 FM WKNC (NCSU) College Radio from N.C. State University
  • 88.5 FM WRTP (RTN) Christian ("His Radio WRTP")
  • 88.7 FM WXDU (DU) Public Radio from Duke University
  • 88.9 FM WSHA (SU) Public Radio from Shaw University
  • 89.3 FM WXYC (UNC) College Radio from UNC-Chapel Hill
  • 89.7 FM WCPE Classical & Opera Music
  • 90.7 FM WNCU (NCCU) Public Radio from N.C. Central University
  • 91.1 FM W216BN (RTN) Christian ("His Radio WRTP")
  • 91.5 FM WUNC (UNC) Public Radio from UNC-Chapel Hill
  • 92.5 FM WYFL (BBN) Christian Programs from Bible Broadcasting Network
  • 93.9 FM WKSL (CC) Rhythmic AC (93.9, Kiss FM")
  • 94.7 FM WQDR (CMG) Country (94.7 QDR")
  • 96.1 FM WBBB (CMG) Rock ("96 Rock")
  • 96.7 FM WKRX Country (WKRX, Roxboro)
  • 96.9 FM WYMY (CMG) Spanish ("La Ley 96.9")
  • 97.5 FM WQOK (R1) Hip Hop ("K-97.5")
  • 98.9 FM W255AM (RTN) Christian ("His Radio WRTP")
  • 99.9 FM WCMC (CBC) Sports ("99.9 The Fan")
  • 100.7 FM WRVA (CC) Classic Rock ("100.7, The River")
  • 101.5 FM WRAL (CBC) Adult Contemporary ("Mix 101.5")
  • 102.5 FM WKXU (NCM) Country ("Kicks 102.5")
  • 102.9 FM WWMY (CMG) Oldies ("Y-102.9")
  • 103.9 FM WNNL (R1) Urban Gospel ("103.9, The Light")
  • 104.3 FM WFXK (R1) Urban AC ("Foxy 104")
  • 105.1 FM WDCG (CC) Contemporary Hit Radio ("G-105")
  • 106.1 FM WRDU (CC) Country ("Rooster Country")
  • 106.7 FM WKVE (EMF) Contemporary Christian
  • 107.1 FM WFXC (R1) Urban AC ("Foxy 107")
  • 107.7 FM W299AQ (RTN) Christian ("His Radio WRTP")
  • 107.9 FM WVDJ-LP Community Radio

AM stations:

  • 540 AM WETC Spanish
  • 570 AM WDOX Talk, Sports & Music ("570 WDOX")
  • 620 AM WDNC Sports and Local ESPN Radio affiliate ("620, The Bull")
  • 680 AM WPTF News, Talk & Sports ("News/Talk 680, WPTF")
  • 750 AM WAUG Urban Programming from St. Augustine's College
  • 850 AM WRBZ Sports ("850, The Buzz")
  • 1030 AM WDRU Christian ("The Truth, 1030")
  • 1240 AM WPJL Christian
  • 1360 AM WCHL News, Talk & Sports
  • 1410 AM WRJD Urban Gospel
  • 1490 AM WDUR Stunting
  • 1530 AM WLLQ Spanish
  • 1550 AM WCLY Urban Gospel
  • 1590 AM WHPY Christian

Image:TriangleRegionNumbered.PNG

Cities and Towns

A - Raleigh, North Carolina
B - Durham, North Carolina
C - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
D - Cary, North Carolina
E - Morrisville, North Carolina
F - Apex, North Carolina
G - Holly Springs, North Carolina
H - Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
I - Garner, North Carolina
J - Knightdale, North Carolina
K - Wendell, North Carolina
L - Zebulon, North Carolina
M - Rolesville, North Carolina
N - Wake Forest, North Carolina
O - Hillsborough, North Carolina
P - Carrboro, North Carolina
Q - Pittsboro, North Carolina
R - Clayton, North Carolina
S - Youngsville, North Carolina
T - Franklinton, North Carolina
U - Creedmoor, North Carolina
V - Stem, North Carolina
W - Butner, North Carolina
Counties

1 - Wake County, North Carolina
2 - Durham County, North Carolina
3 - Orange County, North Carolina
4 - Chatham County, North Carolina
5 - Harnett County, North Carolina
6 - Johnston County, North Carolina
7 - Franklin County, North Carolina
8 - Granville County, North Carolina

Parks and Bodies of Water

a - Research Triangle Park
b - Umstead State Park
c - Jordan Lake
d - Haw River
e - Harris Lake
f - Lake Wheeler
g - Lake Benson
h - Falls Lake
Interstate Highways

1 - I-40/I-85
2 - I-85
3 - I-40
4 - I-440
5 - I-540

Other Major highways

1 - US 15
2 - US 1
3 - US 401
4 - US 64
5 - US 70
6 - US 401
7 - US 1
8 - US 15-501
9 - US 64
10 - US 70
11 - US 501
12 - NC 147
13 - US 64-264
14 - US 64 Business

  • 1 High Tech Region (Raleigh-Durham) -- "Daring To Compete: A Region-to-Region Reality Check," Silicon Valley Leadership Group, September 16, 2005
  • Top 10 Utility Company (Duke Power) - Site Selection, September 2005
  • 12 Top Real Estate Market (Raleigh-Durham) -- Expansion Management, August 2005
  • 10 Top Venture Capital State (North Carolina) -- Moran Stahl & Boyer LLC, Site Selection, July 2005
  • 2 of the Top Business Opportunity Metros (Durham MSA, Raleigh-Cary MSA) -- 2005 Mayor's Challenge "Top Business Opportunity Metros", Expansion Management, July 11, 2005
  • 1 City (Greater Raleigh-Durham) for Biotechnology -- "The Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Cluster", Milken Institute, June 2005
    • 2 City (Greater Raleigh-Durham) for Life Sciences Human Capital -- "The Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Cluster", Milken Institute, June 2005
    • 4 City (Greater Raleigh-Durham) for Life Sciences Workforce -- "The Greater Philadelphia Life Sciences Cluster", Milken Institute, June 2005
  • 17 Best Running City in America (Raleigh) -- Runner's World, MSN, June, 2005
  • 5 U.S. Life Sciences Clusters (Greater Raleigh-Durham) -- Milken Institute, June 2005
  • 1 South's State of the Year (North Carolina) -- Southern Business & Development, June 20, 2005
  • One of Top 10 University Markets that Has Its Act Together (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) -- Southern Business & Development, Summer 2005
  • 2 Best Place (Raleigh-Durham) for Business & Careers -- Forbes, May 5, 2005
  • 5 Best Knowledge Worker Metro (Raleigh-Cary MSA) -- "Knowledge Worker Quotient", Expansion Management, May 2005
  • 8 Most Unwired City (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) -- Intel's 3rd Annual "Most Unwired Cities" survey, May 2005
  • 9 Top State (North Carolina) in Nanotechnology -- Small Times, March 2005
  • 9 Top Business State (North Carolina) -- 2004 Governor's Cup, Site Selection, March 2005
  • Top Small Business Towns in the U.S. (Henderson, # 23; Sanford, # 36; Southern Pines, # 49; Dunn, # 82) -- Site Selection, March 2005
  • 8 Hottest Labor Market (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) -- American City Business Journal, TBJ, March 11, 2005
  • 1 Best Place to Work (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, RTP), # 4 (NIEHS) and # 1 Academic Institution (UNC-Chapel Hill) for Postdocs -- "Best Places to Work for Postdocs: 2005", The Scientist, February 14, 2005
  • 4 Top Pro-Business State (North Carolina) -- "Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States for 2005: Keeping Jobs in America", Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc., 2005
  • 4 Best State (North Carolina) in Health Care and Availability -- "Health Care Cost Quotient", Expansion Management, February, 2005
  • 34 Top Metro (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) for Job Growth & High Tech Output -- Outlook, February, 2005
  • 10 State (North Carolina) for Call Centers (# 10 for Startups) -- BizMiner, Business Xpansion Journal, Nov/Dec 2004
  • 7 State (North Carolina) for Health Establishments -- BizMiner, Business Xpansion Journal, Nov/Dec 2004
  • 17 America's Hottest Cities (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) -- Expansion Management, November 2004
  • 5 Best U.S. Location (North Carolina) for Biotechnology -- Business Facilities, November 2004
  • 5 Best Business Climate (North Carolina) -- Site Selection, November 2004
  • 1 of America's Most Entrepreneurial Campuses (UNC-Chapel Hill) -- Forbes, October 22, 2004
  • 3 Best Places to Live in America -- Forbes, 2003 [2]

  1. ^ http://www.joelkotkin.com/Demographics/WSJ%20What%20Brainpower%20Says%20About%20Property%20Trends.htm
  2. ^ Regional Transit Needs: Next Steps. TTA Web Site. Retrieved on 2007-07-04.
  3. ^ http://www.rdu.com/airportdev/termc-updates.htm

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