Draft Results and Recommendations

Transcription

1 Waco Rapid Transit Corridor (RTC) Feasibility Study Draft Results and Recommendations Chris Evilia, Director of Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization Allen Hunter, General Manager Waco Transit System Jimi Mitchell, Project Manager AECOM March 20, 2018

2 Agenda Welcome and Introductions Overview of RTC Alternatives Considered Recap of Evaluation Results Public Involvement and Feedback Optimized Network Analysis Approval and Next Steps 2

3 Study Purpose Objectives Alternatives Analysis (AA) Process Rapid Transit Corridor (RTC) as a catalyst Increase the efficiency of WTS operations and decrease overall transit travel times Support and promote regional economic growth Increase access to employment opportunities and critical services Step 1: Existing conditions Trip patterns and travel corridors Dedicated spaces for transit Step 2: Potential solutions Infrastructure, technology and service operations Potential effects to riders, stakeholders, and transportation providers Costs to implement and operate Develop an implementation strategy leverage available local, state and Federal funding opportunities Step 3: Locally preferred alternative (LPA) Is this what the community wants? How do we pay for it? 3

4 Public Engagement Activities Project website TC/ Links through Waco Transit & Waco MPO websites Stakeholder Charrette Workshop June 2017 Advisory Committees (Quarterly) RTC Project Steering Committee WTS Technical Advisory Committee MPO Technical Committee and Policy Board Public Preference Surveys July Sept 2017 Dec Jan 2018 Public Open Houses Nov 16 th (Noon) Waco Transit Nov 16 th (PM) Dewey Community Center Nov 30 th (PM) Bellmead Civic Center Waco Transit Center popup Dec 19 Waco Housing Authority Jan 17 4

5 Definition & Evaluation of Alternatives Waco RTC Feasibility Study

6 Why Bus Rapid Transit? Limited stops results in faster operations Bellmead to Woodway Current system: up to 110 minutes With RTC: 50 to 65 minutes Significantly greater service frequency Current system: 1 bus per hour, per route With RTC: 1 bus every 10 minutes (peak service) Stations are a focus for redevelopment efforts Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Convenient transfers to other fixed routes or demand response services Provides safer and more accessible service options 6 ADA accessible stations Enhanced bicycle / pedestrian accessibility

7 Operations, Infrastructure & Technology Components Components and operational characteristics Frequent service (less than 15 minutes) Partially dedicated facilities (lanes) Premium, rail-like stations Longer stop spacing (0.5 to 1 mile) Branding Higher capacity vehicles (seating up to 60) On-board technologies (i.e. payment options) curbside technologies (i.e. information displays) 7

8 Conceptual Station Amenities 8

9 RTC Alignment Alternatives Alignment 1 US 84 New Rd Franklin Taylor / Hillsboro B 77 to Crest (TSTC) 14.1 miles, 15 Stations 870 riders (2023)* 980 riders (2040)* 1-way trip time: 60 min Capital costs: $20.1 M $20.8 M 10 * - WTS fixed route bus service not optimized for RTC

10 RTC Alignment Alternatives Alignment 2 US 84 New Rd Franklin Taylor / Hillsboro US 84 to Loop miles, 15 Stations 900 riders (2023)* 980 riders (2040)* 1-way trip time: 65 min NB 50 min SB Capital cost: $18.3 M $19.4 M 11 * - WTS fixed route bus service not optimized for RTC

11 RTC Alignment Alternatives Alignment 3 US 84 Waco Dr Taylor / Hillsboro B 77 to Crest (TSTC) 14.6 miles, 14 Stations 900 riders (2023)* 1,000 riders (2040)* 1-way trip time: 45min Capital costs: $17.4 M $18.5 M 12 * - WTS fixed route bus service not optimized for RTC

12 Draft Evaluation Results Criteria Alignment 1 Alignment 2 Alignment 3 Mobility Impacts Medium Medium Medium 1-way Travel Time System / RTC Ridership (year)* 60 min 4,030 / 870 (2023) 4,690 / 980 (2040) 65 min (NB) 50 min (SB) 3,990 / 900 (2023) 4,630 / 980 (2040) 45 min 4,080 / 900(2023) 4,730 / 1,000 (2040) Economic Development Medium High Low Safety High High Medium (Conceptual) Cost $20.1 M $20.8 M $18.3 M $19.4 M $17.4 M $18.5 M Community Support Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Overall Rating (Aggregate) Medium High Medium 13 * - WTS fixed route bus service not optimized for RTC

13 Franklin vs Franklin/Washington Preliminary Evaluation Results Criteria Franklin 2-way Franklin / Washington Couplet Mobility Impacts Medium Low Economic Development High High Safety High Medium Cost $$$ $$ Community Support Ongoing Ongoing Overall Rating (Aggregate) High Medium 14

14 Draft Recommendation: Preferred Alignment #2 Capital cost: $18.3M to $19.4M Annual operating cost: $3.5M to $4M Ridership (System / RTC)* : 3,990 / 900 (year 2023) 4,630 / 980 (year 2040) 2-way operation on Franklin Better safety, connectivity and service operations More Transit Oriented Development opportunities Increase Hours of Operations Terminate at 10:00 pm weekdays Add Sunday service Next Steps Initiate FTA Small Starts application for Bus Rapid Transit Service Continue study of realigned fixed routes to optimize system 15 * - WTS fixed route bus service not optimized for RTC

15 Next Steps: Schedule and Funding Waco RTC Feasibility Study

16 What We ve Heard Excitement about travel times and future changes to local buses Current system does not meet needs Shift station from Clifton, to Forrest at Taylor Address safety concerns at Valley Mills Reroute using New Rd. Address safety concerns at Waco Dr. 17 Potential future infill stations at: Richland Mall Waco Dr./US 84 B A

17 Optimizing Future Network Realign other fixed routes 20 to 30 minute loops with transfer points to RTC Multiple system time savings Realignments may be phased Requires increased operating funding Average 1-way RTC travel time: 50 min Results in additional ridership Current system (2,400 daily) Optimized RTC (1,600 daily) Optimized system (5,700 daily) Additional study required 18

18 Potential Capital Cost Alternative #2 Capital Cost Category Roadway, infrastructure, stations, IT/communications Approx. Cost ($ millions) $6.8 $7.4 Vehicles $4.5 Design, management, right of way, legal, etc $2.7 - $3.0 Uncertainty (contingency) $4.2 - $4.5 Project Total $ $19.4 Non-Federal Match Minimum 20% required $3.6M to $4M Most successful applications 30% - 40% match $7M to $8M 19

19 Overview of the FTA Small Starts Program Capital Improvement Grant Program (CIG) New Starts, Small Starts, Core Capacity What is Small Starts? Maximum capital cost - $300 M Maximum FTA SS funding - $100 M (or 80% of capital cost) Nationally competitive and subject to future Federal Funding availability Greater local funding participation makes applications more competitive for Federal funding Local / Non- Federal Share Most Successful SS BRT projects are requesting between 60% and 70% 30% Total Capital Costs $$$ 70% Federal Share Source: Final Interim Policy Guidance FTA CIG Program (June 2016) 20

20 FTA Project Development Timeline Rapid Transit Corridor Study End FTA Project Development Construction Dec 17 Feb 18 Jan - Feb Mar - Apr May - Oct Jan 2019 Dec RTC Feasibility Study Go / No-Go Engineering / Design Procurement FTA Project Development Justification and Pre-Award Authority Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and identify potential funding strategies Public vetting of draft results and recommendations 21

21 FTA Project Development Timeline Revenue Service in 2022 Construction Procurement and Vehicle Purchase Final Design & FTA Funding Recommendation Submit FTA SS Funding Request Prelim. Engineering, Environmental (NEPA) and Funding Commitments FTA Project Development Construction Dec 17 Feb 18 Jan - Feb Mar - Apr May - Oct Nov Aug 19 Sep Sep 19 May 20 Jul - Dec Jan 21 - Dec RTC Feasibility Study Go / No-Go Engineering / Design Procurement FTA Project Development Justification and Pre-Award Authority Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and identify potential funding strategies Public vetting of draft results and recommendations 22

22 Local Funding Approach Lessons learned and best practice opportunities Coordinate funding of overlapping projects, like: Active Transportation Plan Bus 77 corridor recommendations Franklin / New Rd intersection reconstruction Other transportation projects Tax-Increment Financing (TIFF) at Transit Oriented Development (TOD) sites Hotel Occupancy Tax Importance of schedule Gradual increase in fixed route service levels leading up to RTC construction Integrate construction schedules of overlapping projects 23

23 Completion of Study Public Process Completion January 30 Final Consultant Report & Recommendations Incorporating public input and Letters of Support March 2018 Adoption of Final Recommendations and Funding for Preliminary Engineering (PE) / Environmental Analysis Approximately $1.2M for PE and Environmental analysis RTC Steering Committee / WTS Advisory Board - March 20, 2018 MPO Policy Board - April 19, 2018 Waco City Council - May 1, 2018 Forward Final Report to FTA for Project Justification 24

24 Thank You Waco RTC Feasibility Study