OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF ADA ACCESSIBILITY AT OLDER RAIL STATIONS SEPTA's ADAPTIVE APPROACH

Transcription

1 OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF ADA ACCESSIBILITY AT OLDER RAIL STATIONS SEPTA's ADAPTIVE APPROACH Jeffrey D. Knueppel, P.E. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority AGM/Chief Engineer Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1

2 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) One of two transit operators in the country to operate five major modes of transportation: buses, light rail (trolleys), heavy rail (subway and elevated lines), commuter rail and paratransit services. Service area encompasses approximately 2,202 square miles. Serves over one million weekday riders and provides approximately 325 million passenger trips annually. Rail operations include 8 Trolley (Light Rail) Lines, 2 SubwayElevated (Heavy Rail) Lines, 1 Inter-Urban High Speed (Heavy Rail) Line and 13 Regional Railroad (Commuter Rail) Lines. Between 1964 and 1983, SEPTA assumed ownership of various bankrupt transportation companies, including a commuter rail system from Conrail that was originally constructed by the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroads. Currently completing our 100th Fully Accessible Station. 2

3 SEPTA's COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEM Total of 142 Regional Rail Stations Owned or Leased by SEPTA. 61 Stations are ADA Accessible. 4 Stations are Under Construction including ADA Accessibility. 3 Stations are scheduled for ADA Improvements. 3

4 ACCESSIBILITY AND SEPTA COMMUTER RAIL CHALLENGES OLD/HISTORIC STATIONS SITE CONSTRAINTS/DIFFICULT ACCESS FREIGHT TRAFFIC RELIABILITY/DURABILITY/COST EFFECTIVENESS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION 4

5 OLD/HISTORIC STATIONS NORTH WALES Before Original Station Building Built Circa

6 OLD/HISTORIC STATIONS WAYNE STATION Before Original Station Building Built Circa

7 OLD/HISTORIC STATIONS WAYNE JUNCTION STATION 7 Original Station Building Built Circa 1901

8 SITE CONSTRAINTS/DIFFICULT ACCESS ALLEN LANE STATION Before Original Station Building Built Circa

9 9 SITE CONSTRAINTS/DIFFICULT ACCESS WAYNE JUNCTION STATION

10 FREIGHT TRAFFIC IN AMTRAK OWNED TERRITORY Amtrak negotiated an agreement with NS, CSX, Conrail Shared Assets and SEPTA for high level platforms at all current station locations except Bristol, Marcus Hook and Thorndale. Each of these stations have one direction which will need to be addressed with a unique solution. Croydon Station 10 Wayne Station

11 FREIGHT TRAFFIC IN SEPTA OWNED TERRITORY Original solution was to construct mini-high level platforms. Steady progress on negotiating with freight carriers for the construction of high-level platforms has been made by SEPTA and currently only high-level platforms are being installed. Crestmont Station Currently there are 30 mini-high level stations. Melrose Park Station Currently there are 31 high level stations. 11 SEPTA/CSX Fox Chase Line Separation Project

12 RELIABILITY/DURABILITY/COST EFFECTIVENESS ACCELERATED RAILROAD STATION CONSTRUCTION USING PRE-FABRICATED COMPONENTS "HYBRID APPROACH" TO STATION CONSTRUCTION: Matches SEPTA in-house work with pre-fabricated elements made by outside entities. Utilizes third party contractors where appropriate. Leverages outside expertise with the strengths of internal resources. Increases overall productivity and cost effectiveness. Increases component durability. Reduces on-site work adjacent to active tracks (faster construction). Lowers life-cycle costs. 12

13 RELIABILITY/DURABILITY/COST EFFECTIVENESS Pre-Cast Foundations at Fabricator's Yard Installed Foundation Units at Ambler Station Setting Pre-Cast Platform Panels at Primos Station 13

14 RELIABILITY/DURABILITY/COST EFFECTIVENESS Fort Washington Station Modular Station Building Being Installed at Night Completed Interior of Station 14

15 RELIABILITY/DURABILITY/COST EFFECTIVENESS Pre-Cast ADA Ramp at Ambler Station Typical Shelter at Ambler Station 15 Ambler Station Building Interior Ambler Station Exterior View

16 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RYERS STATION Before Provide Equal Facilitation Reduce Train Dwell Times Create Attractive Design Solutions 16

17 BROAD STREET SUBWAY STATIONS Total of 25 Stations on Broad Street Subway/Broad Ridge Spur. 11 Stations are ADA Accessible. 1 Station in Design to Provide ADA Accessibility (Race/Vine). 17 Olney Station

18 BROAD STREET SUBWAY STATIONS LESSONS LEARNED NORTH PHILADELPHIA STATION Excavating Through the Street SPRING GARDEN STATION Ramping on Mezzanine with Low Head-Room Elevator 18

19 MARKET-FRANKFORD LINE Total of 28 Stations on the Market-Frankford Subway/ /Elevated. 22 Stations ADA Accessible. 1 Station Under Construction to Provide Accessibility (15 th Street). 1 Station Designed for Accessibility but Construction Deferred Due to Lack of Funding rd Street Station

20 MARKET-FRANKFORD LINE 15 th STREET STATION SEPTA's CITY HALL STATION EARLY ACTION PHASE ELEVATOR LOCATIONS CUT-AWAY VIEW JUNE

21 21 CITY HALL AREA ELEVATION MAP COMPLETE ELEVATOR BUILD OUT PLAN

22 SEPTA ACCESSIBILITY: ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL CENTER Supported by $140,000 in FTA New Freedom Funds. Encourages use of regular fixed route service. Helps identify candidates for independent travel during eligibility determination and afterward. Offers a range of travel training opportunities to residents of SEPTA's five county service area. Provides a transition space for safe, non-pressure practice to gain skills and information before boarding vehicles in revenue service. 22

23 SEPTA ACCESSIBILITY: ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL CENTER Teaches riders to: Learn to Board using a Ramp. Master the Tactile Platform Edge. Master the Crossing Gap. BUS MOCK-UP 23

24 24 THANK YOU