Bus Rapid Transit ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS

Open House

June 23, 2015

Agenda Introductions

What is BRT?

Project Goals

Study Tasks

Next steps

Discussion

Open House Meeting Agenda

URS Team Partner Role

Largest regional transit authority in the state; lead partner in the study

City of Springfield Primary stakeholder in the study; key participant for planning, traffic analysis and policy decisions

Statewide transportation agency; technical support; funding agency

Consultant technical lead for the study

PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Study – a Planning Partnership

What is BRT?

Bus Rapid Transit

BRT is a cost-effective approach to transit service which blends the positive features of rail with the flexibility of bus transit to make riding the bus a higher-end transit service alternative.

BRT Key Elements

1) Running Ways

2) Stations

3) Vehicles

4) Improved Service

5) Fare Collection

6) Branding

7) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Study Tasks

Study Tasks

Task 1: Civic Engagement • Stakeholder Outreach • Project Coordination • Public Informational Meetings • Website

Task 2: Refinement of Alternatives and Site Visit • Define Study Area • BRT Site Visit • Refinement of Alternatives • Fleet Analysis • Station Stop Locations

Task 3: Alternatives Analysis • Operational • Ridership • Traffic • Bicycle & Pedestrian • Environmental Analyses • Evaluation of Alternatives • Selection of Preferred Alternatives

Project Goals

Project Goals

Provide an attractive, unique, and cost effective service to the corridor

Enhance station areas to support economic development

Integrate service with PVTA to increase local transit operations

Improve bus reliability and frequency

Connect riders to key destinations along the corridor

Set the standard for future BRT corridors in the state

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Highlights of the Study Area

Key Intersections

Corridor Ridership

Corridor Accidents at key intersections (2010 – 2012)

ONGOING PROJECTS: Union Station MGM Casino I-91 Viaduct Deck Replacement Boston Road Reconstruction Knowledge Corridor Springfield Pedestrian & Bike Plan PVTA Comprehensive Service New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail

Project Coordination

Union Station Construction Boston Road Construction

BRT Corridor

Refinement of Alternatives and BRT Site Visit

Data Collection

Ridership Data

Accident Data

Traffic Volumes

Vehicle and Pedestrian Counts

Turning Movement Counts

Route Operational Data

PVTA Fleet Information

Land use

Parking information

19 PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

BRT Site Visit: HealthLine Cleveland, OH

20 PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

21 PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

22 PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

Strong support from the

business community and Economic Development Team Vehicles and stations

incorporate safety and security elements Gateway concept

Route efficiency is improved

Zoning changes to support

BRT development

Lessons learned from the project

Civic Engagement

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS Key Topics Raised to date: System Safety for children and young persons

Will fares change?

Where will stops be? Will I lose Service?

How will fare collection change?

Station enhancements should be designed with neighborhood input?

Will access change for disabled persons?

Stakeholder Outreach

26 PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

PVTA BRT Project Website

Alternatives Analysis

General Bus is in motion only 50% of the

time.

Travel times vary by time of day.

Goal:

Assess different route options, lane alignments, and levels of investments.

Develop a bus system that is faster, more reliable, and more convenient.

Increase % of time bus is in motion by reducing time bus is stopped in traffic, at red lights and stops.

Stopped in Traffic and at Red Lights

Stakeholder and Community Input Community Needs Operational Constraints

Results from data collection and analysis: Passenger Volumes and Transfers Traffic Volumes and Delays Crash and Parking Data

BRT Best Practices Technical Tour Field Visit Cleveland, OH Experience From Other Projects

Alternatives Development – Input

Example: Flushing –Jamaica Corridor, New York

Field Visit Cleveland, OH

Develop route alternatives Base: existing route Consider changes at termini,

stops, route deviations, etc.

Develop concept design alternatives to include BRT elements, such as: Bus lanes, ROW and

intersection improvements, including traffic signaling

Fare collection Stations Service changes

Alternatives Development

Economic Development Travel Time and Cost Impacts Reduces travel time Decreases travel costs (fuel,

insurance) Reduces travel safety costs

(fewer accidents) Access Impacts Expands job market access Connects employers to key

employment centers Spending Impacts Stimulates local economy Creates local jobs Other Economic Impacts Increases local property

values

Before BRT

After BRT

Next Steps

Next Steps Summer 2015

Complete data collection

Attend remaining Neighborhood Council meetings

Develop corridor alternatives

Fall 2015

Finalize corridor alternatives

Work with businesses, colleges, and institutions along corridor

Complete analysis

Discussion

How can you help? Give us your feedback: Questionnaire Comment form

Visit the PVTA BRT Project Site

PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

Thank you.

Questions?