Waco Rapid Transit Corridor (RTC) Feasibility Study Draft Results and Open House Chris Evilia, Director of Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization Allen Hunter, General Manager Waco Transit System Jimi Mitchell, Project Manager AECOM December 19, 2017 Draft Alternative Analysis Results
Agenda Overview of study purpose Results of public process and preferences Evaluation of alternatives Selection of preferred service option Selection preferred alignment Next steps Potential costs and local match FTA Small Starts requirements FTA Project Development timeline Potential Optimized future network Draft recommendation
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
Public Preference Survey Waco RTC Feasibility Study
Public Engagement Activities Project website http://www.aecomconnect.com/wacor 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 10 or 17 5
RTC Public Preference Survey Results Purpose: Identify Public Preference Alignment Station shelter type Station amenities Reasons for using transit Trip Attractions / Destinations Roughly 203 responders Survey conducted through June 15 thru Sept 4 79% of responses from core of the Urban Area (160) 6
Preliminary Alignment Segments RTC Corridor divided into 4 segments North Extension 51% - Bellmead Dr to N Loop 340 35% - Bus 77 to TSTC North River (East Waco) 56% - Taylor Ave 44% - Waco Dr Downtown 46% - Franklin Ave 34% - Waco Dr South No alternative alignments 7
Definition & Evaluation of Alternatives Waco RTC Feasibility Study
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) 9
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 ADA accessible stations Enhanced bicycle / pedestrian accessibility
MJ18 RTC Alignment Alternatives Alignment 1 US 84 Valley Mills 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 11 * - WTS fixed route bus service not optimized for RTC
Slide 11 MJ18 Add Stations to location map update alignment for Lake Air? Mitchell, Jimi, 12/14/2017
MJ19 RTC Alignment Alternatives Alignment 2 US 84 Valley Mills Franklin Taylor / Hillsboro US 84 to Loop 340 13.3 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 12 * - WTS fixed route bus service not optimized for RTC
Slide 12 MJ19 Add Stations to location map update alignment for Lake Air? Mitchell, Jimi, 12/14/2017
MJ17 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 13 * - WTS fixed route bus service not optimized for RTC
Slide 13 MJ17 Update Ridership numbers on all slides Mitchell, Jimi, 12/14/2017
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 14
Draft Evaluation Results M Top Performer: Alternative #2 2-way operation on Franklin Better safety, connectivity and service operations Better Transit Oriented Development opportunities along Franklin Potential Ridership (System / RTC) 3,990 / 900 (year 2023) 4,630 / 980 (year 2040) Costs Capital : $18.3 M - $19.4 M O&M: $3.5 M - $4 M 1-way travel times: 50-65 min MJ20 15
Slide 15 MJ4 replace future network map insert capital cost range MJ20 insert end to end travel time. Mitchell, Jimi, 11/10/2017 uncrop image for trip time savings to DT core and Bellmead the current system doesn't serve W waco very well, so we didn't have good data for trip time savings there. Mitchell, Jimi, 12/15/2017
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 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 Franklin @ Waco Dr Potential future infill stations Richland Mall Hillsboro @ Waco Dr/US 84 B A
Next Steps: Schedule and Funding Waco RTC Feasibility Study
Potential Capital Cost Alternative #2 Capital Cost Category Approx. Cost ($ millions) Roadway, infrastructure, stations, IT/communications $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 $18.3 - $19.4 Non-Federal Match Minimum 20% required $3.6M to $4M Most successful applications 30% - 40% match $7M to $8M
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
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
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 regionally significant transportation projects Tax-Increment Financing (TIFF) at Transit Oriented Development (TOD) sites Importance of schedule Gradual increase in fixed route service levels leading up to RTC construction Integrate construction schedules of overlapping projects
Optimizing Future Network Realign other fixed routes 20 to 30 minute loops Multiple system time savings Results in additional ridership Realignments may be phased Additional study required
MJ21 Draft Recommendation: Initiate FTA Small Starts application for Bus Rapid Transit Service Preferred Alignment #2 Costs Capital: $18.3M to $19.4M Annual Operating: $3.5M to $4M Non-Federal Match $7M to $8M capital $1.75M to $2M annual operating Increase Hours of Operations Terminate at 10:00 pm weekdays Add Sunday service Continue study of realigned fixed routes to optimize system 24
Slide 24 MJ21 Add Stations to location map update alignment for Lake Air? Mitchell, Jimi, 12/14/2017
Completion of Study Public Process Completion January 30 Final Consultant Report & Recommendations Incorporating public input February 16, 2018 Acceptance of Final Report MPO Policy Board March 15, 2018 Waco City Council March 2018 Forward Final Report to FTA for Phase II Authorization