Bus Rapid Transit

ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS

Open House

June 23, 2015

Open House Meeting Agenda

Agenda
Introductions
What is BRT?
Project Goals
Study Tasks
Next steps
Discussion

PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Study a Planning Partnership

URS
Team
Partner

Role
Largest regional transit authority in the state;
lead partner in the study

City of Springfield

Primary stakeholder in the study; key

participant for planning, traffic analysis and
policy decisions

Statewide transportation agency; technical

support; funding agency

Consultant technical lead for the study

What is BRT?

Bus Rapid Transit

BRT is a cost-effective
approach to transit
service which blends the
positive features of rail
with the flexibility of bus
transit to make riding
the bus a higher-end
transit service
alternative.

BRT Key Elements

1) Running Ways
2) Stations
3) Vehicles
4) Improved
Service
5) Fare Collection
6) Branding
7) Intelligent
Transportation
Systems (ITS)

Study Tasks

Study Tasks
Task 1: Civic Engagement

Stakeholder Outreach
Project Coordination
Public Informational Meetings
Website

Task 2: Refinement of Alternatives and Site Visit

Define Study Area

BRT Site Visit
Refinement of Alternatives
Fleet Analysis
Station Stop Locations

Task 3: Alternatives Analysis

Operational
Ridership
Traffic
Bicycle & Pedestrian
Environmental Analyses
Evaluation of Alternatives
Selection of Preferred Alternatives

Project Goals

Project Goals

Provide an attractive, unique, and cost effective service to the corridor

2
3

Integrate service with PVTA to increase local transit operations

Improve bus reliability and frequency

5
6

Enhance station areas to support economic development

Connect riders to key destinations along the corridor

Set the standard for future BRT corridors in the state

Highlights of the Study Area

Key Intersections

Corridor Ridership

Corridor Accidents at key intersections (2010 2012)

Project Coordination
ONGOING PROJECTS:

Union Station
Union Station Construction
MGM Casino
I-91 Viaduct Deck Replacement
Boston Road Reconstruction
Knowledge Corridor
Springfield Pedestrian & Bike Plan
PVTA Comprehensive Service
New Haven-Hartford-Springfield
Commuter Rail

Boston Road Construction

BRT Corridor

Refinement of Alternatives and BRT Site Visit

Data Collection
Ridership Data
Accident Data
Traffic Volumes
Vehicle and Pedestrian Counts
Turning Movement Counts
Route Operational Data
PVTA Fleet Information
Land use
Parking information

BRT Site Visit:

HealthLine
Cleveland, OH

PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

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PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

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PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

21

Lessons learned from

the project
Strong support from the
business community and
Economic Development
Team
Vehicles and stations
incorporate safety and
security elements
Gateway concept
Route efficiency is improved
Zoning changes to support
BRT development
PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

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Civic Engagement

Stakeholder Outreach
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS
Key Topics Raised to date:
System Safety for children and
young persons
Will fares change?
Where will stops be? Will I lose Service?
How will fare collection change?
Station enhancements should be
designed with neighborhood input?
Will access change for disabled persons?

PVTA BRT Project Website

PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

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Alternatives Analysis

General
Bus is in motion only 50% of the
time.
Travel times vary by time of day.
Goal:
Assess different route options,
lane alignments, and levels of
investments.
Develop a bus system that is
faster, more reliable, and more
convenient.
Increase % of time bus is in
motion by reducing time bus is
stopped in traffic, at red lights
and stops.

Stopped in
Traffic and at
Red Lights

Alternatives Development Input

Stakeholder and Community
Input
Community Needs
Operational Constraints

Results from data collection and

analysis:
Passenger Volumes and Transfers
Traffic Volumes and Delays
Crash and Parking Data

Example: Flushing Jamaica

Corridor, New York

BRT Best Practices

Technical Tour
Field Visit Cleveland, OH
Experience From Other Projects

Field Visit Cleveland, OH

Alternatives Development
Develop route alternatives
Base: existing route
Consider changes at termini,
stops, route deviations, etc.
Develop concept design
alternatives to include BRT
elements, such as:
Bus lanes, ROW and
intersection improvements,
including traffic signaling
Fare collection
Stations
Service changes

Economic Development
Travel Time and Cost Impacts
Reduces travel time
Decreases travel costs (fuel,
insurance)
Reduces travel safety costs
(fewer accidents)
Access Impacts
Expands job market access
Connects employers to key
employment centers
Spending Impacts
Stimulates local economy
Creates local jobs
Other Economic Impacts
Increases local property
values

Before BRT

After BRT

Next Steps

Next Steps
Summer 2015
Complete data collection
Attend remaining Neighborhood Council meetings
Develop corridor alternatives

Fall 2015
Finalize corridor alternatives
Work with businesses, colleges, and institutions along corridor
Complete analysis

Discussion

How can you help?

Give us your feedback:
Questionnaire
Comment form

Visit the PVTA BRT Project Site

PVTA Bus Rapid Transit Alternatives Analysis

Thank you.

Questions?