Stadium Expansion Parking Plan and Transportation Management Program

University of Washington Stadium Expansion Parking Plan and Transportation Management Program 2001 Data Collection Summary

Contents Background... Introduction... Executive Summary... TMP Elements... Transit Fare Program... Park and Ride Service... Husky Special... Marketing: Transportation Guide and Website... Carpooling Incentives and Parking Pricing... Restricted Parking Zone... Data Collection Methodology and Summary... Charter Buses... Transit... Boats... Vehicles... Bicycles... Modal Split... Special Events Restricted Parking Zone... Conclusion... Appendix... 1

2001 Husky Football Transportation Management Plan Summary Background The Seattle City Council Resolution 27435, relative to the University of Washington Stadium Expansion Parking Plan and Transportation Management Program (TMP), requires the University and City of Seattle to collect data during each football season. The data is used to monitor the performance of the TMP. The 1986 data collection is a baseline for comparing impacts after the stadium expansion in 1987. This document summarizes the data collection for the 2001 season, and compares current figures to the figures collected during the past fifteen years. 2

University of Washington Transportation Office Introduction The University of Washington hosted six football games at Husky Stadium during the 2001 season. The game dates and times were as follows: Date Kickoff Time Opponent Game Attendance September 8th 12:30 p.m. Michigan 74,080 September 22nd 12:30 p.m. Idaho (Band Day) 70,145 October 6th 12:30 p.m. USC 72,946 October 20th 12:30 p.m. Arizona 71,108 November 3rd 12:30 p.m. Stanford 72,090 November 17th 12:30 p.m. WSU 74,442 During the 2001 season, the transportation management program (TMP) was executed to provide transportation options and to discourage guests from driving alone. Alternative modes of transportation were fostered and encouraged, including: free bus services from several Park & Ride lots in the region free bus service on selected in-city routes ( Husky Special Service ) discounted carpool parking charter bus parking bicycling boat moorage services The purpose of this document is to monitor the effectiveness of the TMP during the 2001 season. The indicators that are used for monitoring are modal split, average occupancy of each transportation mode, number of parking violations in Special Events Restricted Parking Zone, and neighborhood parking impacts. This report consists of three main sections. First, it explains the Transportation Management Program (TMP). Secondly, it details the methodology used to collect the data related to performance indicators. Lastly, it discusses modal split in 2001 and in previous years. 3

2001 Husky Football Transportation Management Plan Summary Executive Summary After fifteen years of operation, the Husky Stadium Expansion Parking Plan and Transportation Management Program continue to fulfill its primary goal of "accommodating a sellout crowd of 72,200 with less reliance on parking in the residential areas near campus." Key findings of this report are presented below: The average attendance in 2001 was 72,468. The average attendance in 1986 was 59,432 and 71,638 in 2000. The average vehicle occupancy rate for vehicles parked on campus during games was 2.46 persons per auto. On average, 28,661 people o r 39.5 percent of the game attendance in 2001 arrived by automobile. In 1986, the average number of people arriving by automobile and parking on campus or at Safeco was 27,424 people or 46 percent. In 2000, the average vehicle occupancy rate for autos was 2.32 and an average of 27,099 people or 37.7 percent of the game attendance arrived by automobile and parked on campus. Average occupancy for boats has increased to 12.5 people per boat. On average, approximately 3,539 people or 4.8 percent of the total game attendance in 2001 arrived by boat for each game. In 1986, the average number of people arriving by boat was 2,817 people or 4.7 percent. In 2000, the figures were 3,661 people or 5.1, with an 11.9 people per boat average occupancy. Transit ridership increased in 2001. An average of 15,598 people arrived by bus each game. Overall, 21.5 percent of the game attendance rode transit to the games in 2001 as compared to 5,650 people or 9.5 percent in 1986. During the 2000 season, 15,572 people or 22.1 percent of the game attendance used transit. During the 2001 season, an average of 49,760 people per game, or 68.7 percent of the average game attendance parked on campus, came by boat, arrived by transit, or arrived by charter bus. The remaining 22,710 people, or 31.3 percent, were either dropped -off, walked, rode a bicycle, drove a motorcycle/moped, or drove and parked in the University District or outlying neighborhoods. In 1986, an average of 66 percent of the people in game attendance parked on-campus came by boat, by transit, or by charter bus. In 2000, there were 48,068 people or 67 percent arriving by these modes. The City of Seattle Transportation Department identified 220 parking violations in the Special Event Restricted Parking Zone in 2001 compared to 91 violations reported in 1986, 209 violations in 1999, and 115 violations in 2000. An increase in the number of bikes parked around the stadium was noted. An average of 272 bikes were counted around the stadium. An increase from 2000 count of 234, or 16 percent. 4

University of Washington Transportation Office TMP Elements The Transportation Management Plan for Husky football games was first implemented in 1987 to mitigate the impacts of traffic on the surrounding community. Due to the nature of large-attendance events such as football games, high volumes of people travel to specific location over a short period, and most leave at the same time (at the conclusion of the event). The TMP is in place to reduce the volume of vehicles in the area before and after football games. Transit Fare Program One of the goals of the transportation program is to encourage football game attendees to take public transportation to the stadium. All ticket-holders may ride King County Metro buses free to the stadium on added Park & Ride service buses and the on five special service routes in addition to all regular Metro routes and the Sound Transit Express 550. Park and Ride Service King County Metro provides special game-day bus service from eight Park & Ride lots in the region to Husky Stadium (see Figure 1). Fans are able to park free at the Park & Ride lots, and ride the bus to Husky Stadium free. Buses begin boarding at the lots two hours before the kickoff, and leave every 20 minutes. Following the games, bus riders board the buses according to their destination to return to the designated Park & Ride lots, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2: Boarding Locations Figure1: Park and Ride Lot Locations 5

2001 Husky Football Transportation Management Plan Summary Husky Special King County Metro adds four special bus routes from downtown Seattle and Ballard to Husky Stadium during each home game. The service starts one hour and forty minutes before each kickoff. The routes are shown in Figures 3 through 6. Figure 3: Downtown Service Figure 4: Downtown Service Figure 5: Ballard Service Figure 6: Downtown Service King County Metro also adds special service on Route 75 between Lake City and Husky Stadium. One trip leaves Lake City 65 minutes before kickoff during each home game. Figure 7 shows the route for the service. Figure 7: Lake City & Sand Point Service 6

University of Washington Transportation Office Marketing: Transportation Guide and Website Each year a Husky Football Transportation Guide, which provides transportation-related information, is produced for and distributed to ticket holders. In 2001, the Transportation Office printed 21,500 brochures and mailed them to all season ticket holders and individuals who request the information. The guide provides details about the TMP elements, information about parking and post-game traffic routing, and contact information. People who purchased their tickets on -line received a link to the electronic version of the guide. The information is also made available on-line at the U-PASS web site (hosted by the University of Washington www.washington.edu/upass). Carpooling Incentives and Parking Pricing The TMP uses a pricing system to provide financial incentives for carpooling. During the 2001 season, parking on campus cost $7.00 for vehicles with three or more persons, $10.00 for vehicles with less than three persons, $20.00 for motor homes, and $20.00 for buses. The only increase in parking pricing was for motor homes an increase of $3.00 more than 2000. In previous years, carpool parking permits were available for groups or two or more persons. This change, requiring three rather than two people for a carpool permit has had little effect on average vehicle occupancy, as discussed later in this report. Marketing information was also used also encourage carpooling. Messages such as When you share the ride you ll save time and money and have a lot more fun than going alone were incorporated into the transportation guide. Restricted Parking Zone Another important element of the TMP is the Special Event Parking Zone, which limits game-day parking in Montlake community to its residents. Citations are given when non - residents park in the specified zones. Bicycling New for this year, the University of Washington Transportation Office added an element to our program by repositioning bicycle racks to provide additional lock-up space for cyclists nearby stadium entrances. 7

2001 Husky Football Transportation Management Plan Summary Data Collection Methodology and Summary Vehicle trips and passengers are counted or estimated for each transportation mode (charter bus, public bus, boat, cars, and motor homes). This count does not include bicyclists, pedestrians, or people dropped off. Charter Buses Charter buses were surveyed at each game by Parking Services. A parking attendant recorded the number of buses and passengers as the parking fees were paid. Table 1 shows the number of charter buses and passengers arriving by charter bus for each game. Table 1: 2001 Husky Football Travel to Campus via Charter Buses Game Date Opponent Number of Buses Number of Passengers September 8th Michigan 43 1,682 September 22nd Idaho (Band Day)* 109 3,785 October 6th USC 41 1,382 October 20th Arizona 33 1,145 November 3rd Stanford 36 1,279 November 17th WSU 49 1,724 Season Average 52 1,833 * The 63 band day buses held approximately 2,700 people. Every year the Huskies host a Band Day when marching bands from area high schools travel via charter buses to Husky stadium to perform. The Idaho game on September 22 was Band Day, and the numbers shown include the Band Day participants. Transit King County Metro counts the number of transit trips and passengers for each Husky game, for both the Park & Ride Service and for Husky Special Service runs. All transit trips are estimated to be 21.6% of the total game attendance. Table 2: 2001 Husky Football Travel to Campus via Transit (Average) Pre-Game Post-Game Passengers Trips Coaches Passengers Trips Coaches Share of game attendance Park & Ride Service Northgate 1,344 19 10 1,350 16 17 South Kirkland 3,185 40 21 3,158 29 23 Eastgate 2,006 28 19 2,086 23 22 South Renton 1,315 23 15 1,326 19 19 Shoreline 1,076 15 8 1,080 13 12 Kenmore 515 11 7 505 7 7 Federal Way 2,097 37 23 2,181 29 25 Houghton 1,379 18 10 1,395 16 15 Subtotal: 12,917 190 113 13,081 152 140 18.0% Husky Special E/B/C 1,341 26 18 1,931 27 27 Overlake 46 2 1 51 1 1 Lakeview 134 2 2 409 5 5 Subtotal: 1,521 30 21 2,391 33 33 2.7% Regular Transit 841 398 < 1.0% 8

University of Washington Transportation Office Boats The Intercollegiate Athletics Department (ICA) counts the number of boats at each game and provides an estimate of the number of passengers based on boat size. Specific counts were taken for those arriving by charter boat, boats moored at University piers and buoys near the Waterfront Activities Center, and boats anchored offshore or parked at the crew house. Table 3 provides information for each game, and summarizes the season averages. Not included in this year s number is one seaplane. Table 3: 2001 Husky Football Travel to Campus via Boat Number of Boat Trips per Game 1 Michigan Idaho USC Arizona Stanford WSU Sept. 8 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 17 -Anchored (Private) 184 106 84 76 36 108 -Moored (Private) 166 124 158 101 120 151 -Charter Boats 9 6 6 7 6 8 -Crew House 46 36 39 41 45 38 Subtotal Boats 405 272 287 225 207 305 Number of People per Game 1 Michigan Idaho USC Arizona Stanford WSU Sept. 8 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 17 -Anchored (Private) 1,472 1,003 440 608 288 864 -Moored (Private) 1,660 1,240 1,580 1,010 1,200 1,510 -Charter Boats 1,613 830 1,125 951 967 1,413 -Crew House 276 216 234 246 270 228 Subtotal Boats 5,021 3,289 3,379 2,815 2,725 4,015 Season Averages Number of Number of Average Boat Trips People Occupancy -Anchored (Private) 99 779 7.9 -Moored (Private) 137 1,367 10.0 -Charter Boats 7 1,150 164.3 -Crew House 41 245 6.0 Subtotal Boats 284 3,541 12.5 1 The number of anchored, moored and charter boats and the number of passengers for each are reported after each game. Vehicles Parking Services records the number of cars parked in each campus lot per game. In addition, an Average Vehicle Occupancy (AVO) Survey is conducted each fall quarter, this year on October 6, 2001, in order to estimate the AVO and person trips by cars and motor homes. This year s survey was conducted from 7:00am until the game kick off at 12:30pm. Surveyors recorded the number of people in each car as they entered the University Washington parking facilities. The campus was divided into six sections: East Campus North, East Campus South, Main Campus, South Campus, Central Campus and West Campus. AVO rates were then calculated for each section of campus and applied to the total number of cars parked in each campus sector, as surveyed by Parking Services. The result is a 2001 estimate of the total number of people who arrived by auto and parked on campus for each game. The data are provided in Table 4. 9

2001 Husky Football Transportation Management Plan Summary Table 4: 2001 Husky Football Travel via Cars Parking on Campus Season Averages Lot Estimated Number Average Vehicle Occupancy 1 Area Capacity Parked Cars Utilization of People East Campus - North 4,065 2.76 3,882 95% 10,706 East Campus - South 2 1,765 3.26 1,469 82% 4,782 North Campus 1,935 2.46 1,863 96% 4,648 Central Campus 1,747 2.26 1,705 98% 3,915 South Campus 991 1.84 925 93% 1,696 West Campus 1,533 2.21 1,379 90% 3,041 Total 12,036 11,223 28,788 September 8, 2001 Oct. 20, 2001 Area Parked Cars Lot Utilization Estimated Number of People Parked Cars Lot Utilization Estimated Number of People East Campus - North 3,985 98% 10,991 3,668 90% 10,116 East Campus - South 1,507 85% 4,905 1,430 81% 4,655 North Campus 1,924 99% 4,797 1,777 92% 4,376 Central Campus 1,705 98% 3,914 1,746 100% 3,949 South Campus 952 96% 1,746 860 87% 1,578 West Campus 1,469 96% 3,239 1,235 81% 2,723 Total 11,542 29,592 10,716 27,527 September 22, 2001 November 3, 2001 Area Parked Cars Lot Utilization Estimated Number of People Number of Parked Cars Lot Utilization Estimated Number of People East Campus - North 3,712 91% 10,238 3,979 98% 10,974 East Campus - South 1,449 82% 4,716 1,508 85% 4,909 North Campus 1,826 94% 4,443 1,879 97% 4,688 Central Campus 1,489 85% 3,634 1,720 98% 3,950 South Campus 870 88% 1,596 935 94% 1,716 West Campus 1,142 74% 2,518 1,490 97% 3,285 Total 10,488 27,024 11,511 29,522 October 6, 2001 November 17, 2001 Area Parked Cars Lot Utilization Estimated Number of People Number of Parked Cars Lot Utilization Estimated Number of People East Campus - North 4,051 100% 11,173 3,895 96% 10,742 East Campus - South 1,541 81% 5,016 1,380 78% 4,492 North Campus 1,853 96% 4,563 1,923 99% 4,731 Central Campus 1,714 98% 3,877 1,851 106% 4,443 South Campus 937 95% 1,719 993 100% 1,822 West Campus 1,431 93% 3,155 1,509 98% 3,327 Total 11,527 29,624 11,551 29,441 1 The Average Vehicle Occupancy is applied to the "number of parked cars" to estimate the "number of people" arriving by this mode for each game & campus area. 2 South lot total parking capacity includes space on grass. 10

University of Washington Transportation Office Bicycles The UW Transportation Office counted bicycles parked at or around Husky Stadium (Figure 8) this year on two occasions September 8 and September 22. There were 258 counted on September 8 and 285 counted on September 22. This averages to 272 bicycles. This compares to a one-day count of 234 bicycles in 2000. Figure 8 Bicycles locked up on the West Plaza. The 2000 Husky TMP Summary indicated a need for better event bicycle parking and bicycle parking information distribution. The UW Transportation Office adapted and enhanced the information provided in the 2001 Husky Game Guide to reflect the needs of bicyclists; a map was modified to show bike parking locations. The Transportation Office also added bike racks to supplement the existing racks at the stadium. Throughout the course of the season, a total of seven racks, or 105 bike capacity was added near the North and NW Plaza entrances to encourage bicycling and discourage illegal lock-ups (Figure 9). Figure 9 Bikes near Hec Ed overpass locked to railings. 11

2001 Husky Football Transportation Management Plan Summary There were many areas that still had many improperly locked bicycles. There were also areas swelled to capacity. For next year, there are plans to bring in additional racks to E-9 also. Figure 10 Bikes locked to trees. Though bicycles were counted on Main Campus and around the Medical Center/Health Sciences, most were concentrated around Hec Ed, the Burke Gilman Trail, and Husky Stadium. The results for the bike counts in these areas follows. Burke Gilman Trail This is one of the main bicycle routes passing by the UW. Some bicycles were found locked to rails, trees, and poles along the trail, as shown in Figure 10. In this area, there is an abundant bike parking capacity of 232. However, there were only 46 bikes parked at this location. Most bicycles were counted at the Burke Gilman Trail and Hec Ed Overpass; a total of nearly 100 bikes were observed. East of Montlake Boulevard (Stadium Area) Most of the bicycles counted were parked in this area 118 were tallied here. Initially, there was not sufficient capacity of bicycle parking for the game, as bicycle racks are placed here according to normal (non-event-related) demand. The Transportation Office added capacity to this area as mentioned previously. 12

University of Washington Transportation Office Modal Split Figure 11 provides the average mode split of the 1986 (pre -stadium expansion), and 2001 seasons. 1986 Season (Pre-Expansion) 2001 Season Other modes 34% Parking on campus 44% Other modes 30% Parking on campus 40% Charter bus 5% Transit 10% Boats 5% Parking at Safeco 2% Charter bus 3% Transit 22% Boats 5% Figure 11: Average Mode Split As demonstrated in the Figure 11, mode choice has shifted. Transit bus use has increased substantially, and a smaller share of game attendees arrives at Husky Stadium by car. 13

2001 Husky Football Transportation Management Plan Summary Neighborhood Parking Impacts Figure 12: Neighborhood Parking Impact Areas Figure 12 shows the neighborhood parking impact areas; the boundary is defined in City Council Resolution 27435. The University arranges for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to take an aerial photograph at one football game each season. The analysis of the aerial photo taken September 8, 2001 reveals no apparent increased parking impact in the restricted parking zone (RPZ) neighborhoods. The University did not receive any complaints about parking from residents in the neighborhood impact zones in 2001. In addition, the UW observed that the number of people arriving to games via total uncounted modes was less in 2001 than the average of the years 1995-99 and the 2000 season. The uncounted modes are those other than oncampus parking, boats, transit, and charter bus services, and could include individuals parking in neighborhood parking zones. Thus, all indications signify that the goal to accommodate a sell-out crowd with less reliance on parking in the residential areas near campus has been achieved. 14

University of Washington Transportation Office Special Events Restricted Parking Zone Seattle Transportation (SEATRAN) provides information regarding Special Events Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) violations in the Montlake Community. SEATRAN staff conducts a survey each year of illegally parked vehicles in the RPZ. This year it occurred during the afternoon of November 3, 2001 (Miami game). Attendance for the game was 72,090 people. A total of 220 violations were counted during the game, up considerably from 115 recorded in 2000. Note: violations and citations are not the same things. The violations count is of vehicles parked in a location without proper permits, and thus, these vehicles are worthy of a citation. A citation is the actual issued ticket. For this report, no information was provided by the Seattle Police Department about the number of citations issued. Results of the SEATRANS RPZ violation count are presented in Figure 13, with the exception of 1993 when SEATRAN was unable to conduct the survey. Figure 13: Number of Restricted Parking Zone Violations per game, according to year 250 Number of RPZ Violations 200 150 100 50 0 Data Not Available 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Year 15

2001 Husky Football Transportation Management Plan Summary Conclusion The success of the TMP in 2001 is demonstrated in the mode split data, and in the number of violations counted in the Restricted Parking Zone. The Husky Stadium Expansion Parking Plan and Transportation Management Program continue to be successful. Table 5 summaries travel to each game during the 2001 season according to mode. Table 5: 2001 Husky Football Game Day Travel Summary Game Dates, Opponents: Michigan Idaho 2 USC Arizona Stanford WSU Season Sept. 8 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 17 Average Vehicle trips by mode per game: On-Campus Parking 11,542 10,488 11,527 10,716 11,511 11,551 11,055 Boats 405 272 287 225 207 305 282 Transit Service 249 235 233 239 262 249 244 Charter Buses 37 104 34 36 36 49 51 Number of people arriving via given mode per game: On-Campus Parking 29,474 26,934 29,501 27,396 29,399 29,304 28,661 Boats 5,021 3,289 3,379 2,815 2,725 4,015 3,539 Transit Service 16,189 14,501 14,773 14,803 15,869 15,806 15,324 Charter Buses 1,682 3,785 1,382 1,145 1,279 1,724 1,833 Total: 52,366 48,509 49,035 46,159 49,272 50,849 49,355 Percent: 70.6% 69.2% 65.9% 65.0% 68.3% 68.3% 68.1% Number of people arriving via "other modes 1 ": Total: 21,714 21,638 24,911 24,949 22,818 23,593 22,283 Percent: 29.3% 30.8% 34.1% 35.0% 31.6% 31.6% 31.1% 1 People arriving via other modes are assumed to have walked, biked, used a motorcycle/ moped, parking in the U-District/ neighborhoods, or were dropped off. This is the total attendance subtracted by the number of people arriving via "counted" or "estimated" modes 2 78 Charter buses were used in conjunction with Band Day 16

University of Washington Transportation Office Appendix 17