Update on Bus Stop Enhancements

Transcription

1 Customer Service and Operations Committee Board Information Item III-A February 2, 2012 Update on Bus Stop Enhancements Page 3 of 15

2 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board Action/Information Summary Action Information MEAD Number: Resolution: Yes No TITLE: Update on Bus Stop Enhancements PURPOSE: Inform the Board about progress in Metrobus stop enhancements throughout the National Capitol Area DESCRIPTION: In March of 2010, the Metro Board of Directors adopted Guidelines for the Design and Placement of Transit Stops. As part of the Metro Matters Program (Bus Customer Facilities), and continued as Program 037 in the CIP (Bus Priority Corridor Network Enhancements) Metro has developed a comprehensive set of projects intended to enhance the safety, convenience and function of bus stops in support of Metrobus service operations and ridership. In 2010 WMATA participated in an application for a TIGER Grant on behalf of the region to up grade and enhance as many as 167 bus stops along Priority Corridor bus routes. In March 2012, WMATA will receive a New Freedom grant through MWCOG of $1.2 million to improve accessibility at high priority bus stops. Numerous local, state and national projects in the region and development are currently affecting/benefitting Metrobus stops throughout the region. The Office of Bus Planning (BPLN) is responsible for the development of bus stop design, implementation, mapping, signage and placement coordination for bus stops in the Metrobus system. The Design Guidelines are intended to provide Metro and its jurisdictional partners with specific physical design criteria to be integrated with local comprehensive plan policies, land use ordinances, pedestrian plans, and street design guidelines. With almost 12,000 bus stops, Metro has a comprehensive on-street bus stop information system. However, the current system has a number of challenges including problems of readability, old technology, and a lack of regional design coordination. The new information guidelines include recommendations that address current problems and provide a new consistent, reliable, and effective customer information system. This project is now being implemented and the very visible results are on display along streets throughout the region. The Guidelines provide a discussion of appropriate bus stop placement relative to different land uses, intersections and street designs. They also provide standards for improving accessibility to bus stops to fully comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Prototypes of recommended stop facilities are included. The New Freedom Grant award is intended to begin addressing issues at the over 6,000 bus stops in the region that are identified with at least one accessibility issue. Lastly, the guidelines recommend appropriate spacing between bus stop locations and an analysis of the current spacing between stops on Metrobus lines. Applying the recommended bus stop spacing resulted in the reduction/consolidation of over 60 bus stops during the past year. These reports were developed after a review of current design and information system guidelines used by Page 4 of 15

3 the local jurisdictions in the Metro service area, discussions with Metro staff and regional partners, input received at a public open house, a literature review and review of standards and guidelines used in other metropolitan areas. Implementation is also guided by, and coordinated with, all of the formal service planning work of Corridor Development and Service Evaluation studies and regular work with local DOTs and transit operators through the Regional Bus Stop Task Force. FUNDING IMPACT: While the current presentation has no impact on funding, actions to implement the Guidelines and the bus stop enhancement projects have been included in CIP037 and the BPLN operating budget and additional work or new future projects will require a revision of those budgets. RECOMMENDATION: None Page 5 of 15

4 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Update on Bus Stop Enhancements Customer Service and Operations Committee February 2, 2012 Page 6 of 15

5 Purpose Inform the Board about progress on Metrobus stop enhancements throughout the National Capitol Area Page 7 of 15

6 Background March Board approved Guidelines for the Design and Placement of Transit Stops December WMATA executed a TIGER Grant on behalf of the region to upgrade and enhance up to 167 bus stops along Priority Corridors March WMATA will execute a New Freedom grant through MWCOG for $1.2 million to improve accessibility at high priority bus stops 14 th St NW at Monroe St NW Numerous local, state and national projects and development are affecting/benefitting Metrobus stops throughout the region Page 8 of 15

7 Bus Stop Basics Flag, lettering and pole Seating and shelter Landing pad with safe passenger Lighting entry and exit locations Passenger waiting area Accessible pathways Trash receptacle Information case, maps and Vendor boxes signage Prototypes for stop designs Enhanced Stop Prototype New Stop Flag Page 9 of 15

8 Summary of Stops and Shelters Summary of Metrobus Stop Program Bus Stop Bus Stop Bus Stops Information Cases Shelter Maps Bus Stop Shelters DC 3,426 4, Maryland 4,772 1, ,035 Virginia 3, Metro Total 11,490 7, ,398 New Bus Stop Info Cases Metro-Owned Shelters 597 Bus/Rail Stations 412 On-Street Shelters 185 Non-Metro Shelters 1,801 Metrobus stop coordination involves 12 local & state agencies in addition to adjacent property owners 15 separate local & state agencies and numerous private entities own shelters benefitting Metrobus riders More than 3,000 stops do not meet Metro s standards Page 10 of 15

9 Summary of Bus Stop Program Bus Customer Facilities Branch consists of: Sign and Shelter Crew Bus Stop Information Case and Map Program Bus Stop Safety and Coordination Development, Utility and Project Coordination Project Development Bus Station Access and Coordination Each jurisdiction and Department Of Transportation has a Metrobus stop coordination role The four largest also have shelter franchise agreements Bus Stop Shelter Map Page 11 of 15

10 Current Planning and Projects Bus Stop Project Planning Stop Spacing & Consolidation PCN Development Studies Service Evaluation Studies Study Metro Station Shuttles Regional Bus Study Facilities Ad Hoc stop requests Local project initiatives Quarterly service adjustments On-Street t Terminal Study New Freedom Project Joint development projects Regional Bus Stop Task Force Project Implementation Union Station Columbus Circle Silver Spring Transit Center Takoma-Langley Park Transit Ctr. TIGER-funded stops DC, MD & VA Regional Database Management Bus Stop Consolidation Project Super Stops Columbia Pike VA Rosslyn Station Construction Vienna & Dunn Loring Stations Stop Access Enhancement Roosevelt Center - Greenbelt Bus stop sign, pole & info cases Shelter maps and Station signage Page 12 of 15

11 Conclusions Encourage jurisdictional partners to adopt and incorporate bus stop guidelines in local project engineering and design standards Encourage jurisdictional and Metro grant requests to fund enhancement programs Encourage early coordination with utility, streetscape and roadway and locally-controlled projects. Continue regional transit center project development Work cooperatively to improve bus stop facilities, conditions and access Page 13 of 15

12 Appendix Presentation to Board of Directors, March 2010 regarding Guidelines for the Design and Placement of Bus Stops Page 14 of 15