MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS Executive Summary February 2015
Executive Summary 1. Define the Problem This Alternatives Analysis report is submitted as a deliverable for the StarMetro Multimodal Transportation District Alternatives Analysis (AA) which is being completed under guidance provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New/Small Starts program. This report documents the public outreach activities; data, methods and assumptions; technical analyses; and findings of the 18-month AA study. The AA study area, shown in Figure ES-, is the City of Tallahassee s 18-square mile Multimodal Transportation District (the District ). The City created the Multimodal District in 2009 to improve active transportation options in the central Tallahassee area by making it safer and more comfortable to walk, bike, or take transit. This forward-thinking MMTD Plan and corresponding development code outline a new vision for creating public spaces and encouraging public and private development that support vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods. New public and private investments in the District, such as the Gaines Street Revitalization Plan and the creation of Cascades Park, have created a new vibe that is redefining central Tallahassee as a premier place to live, work, visit and play. This Alternatives Analysis assesses the feasibility of providing premium transit service in the District to provide improved mobility options for District residents, workers and visitors and support and enhance continued economic development. Figure ES-1: Multimodal Transportation District 2 February 2015
2. Public Outreach The StarMetro AA project featured a robust and diverse public outreach program that was targeted to residents, transit users and merchants located in the District. The public outreach program used a mix of traditional and innovative outreach strategies to actively convey information about the AA study and elicit attitudes and opinions regarding study goals and objectives, transportation needs, and the definition and evaluation of alternative premium transit solutions. StarMetro hosted four public meetings, three meet and greet sessions at C.K. Steele Plaza, three on-line public opinion surveys, eight meetings with a Steering Committee comprised of local agency staff and project stakeholders, a project web site, newspaper ads and social media. More than 1,000 StarMetro riders, residents, merchants and stakeholders actively participated in the AA study. What did StarMetro learn from this robust public outreach? Many District residents, students, merchants and stakeholders want to be actively engaged in the development of public projects, Current StarMetro customers want frequent and reliable service to their destinations, Residents who don t currently ride StarMetro value safety, convenience, fast travel times, direct and frequent service to their destinations, and There is a high level of interest in premium transit but some stakeholders felt that the project should benefit the entire community (District) rather than selected institutions (FSU or FAMU). 3. Define and Evaluate Possible Alternatives Because the District is so large and diverse, a two-step process was used to define and evaluate potential premium transit alternatives. The first step identified ten premium transit alternatives that served different corridors and activity centers within the District. Based on the technical screening of alternatives, as well as input from the public, StarMetro riders and the Steering Committee, the following four Final Alternatives were refined (route alignment, station locations, capital costs, operating plans, operation and maintenance costs, economic development, and current and future ridership projections) and rigorously evaluated. Alternative 1 (TCC to FAMU via W. Pensacola Street, Stadium Drive, W. Jefferson Street, Macomb Street, Railroad Avenue, and W. Osceola Street), Alternative 2 (TCC to C.K. Steele via W. Pensacola Street, Stadium Drive, Gaines Street, and Bronough Street / Duval Street), Alternative 3 (TCC to C.K. Steele via W. Tennessee Street), and Alternative 4 (TCC to C.K. Steele via W. Tennessee Street, W. Call Street, S. Woodward Street, W. Pensacola Street, and Bronough Street / Duval Street). 3 February 2015
Recommended Technology Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high-quality, fixed-route, frequent bus service, operating on shared, semiexclusive, or exclusive lanes. BRT characteristics typically include traffic signal priority, low-floor vehicles, enhanced stations, level-platform boarding, off-board fare collection, real-time next bus information, and unique branding to distinguish BRT from local bus service. BRT projects may use some or all of these BRT operations and technology improvements, depending on the local needs and funding capacity of the operating agency. Some examples of BRT systems currently in operation include: Boston Silver Line Cleveland - HealthLine Eugene - Emerald Express (EmX) Kansas City - Metro Area Express (Max) Los Angeles - Metro Orange Line Orlando - Lymmo Pittsburgh West Busway Tampa MetroRapid The BRT technology, using buses operating in shared or semi-exclusive traffic lanes, was the most feasible for the District because it is affordable (low capital and operating costs), provides significant improvements in travel times and service frequency, and results in minimal impacts on local traffic. Figure ES- shows attributes of similar BRT systems. Figure ES-2: Bus Rapid Transit Technology Features Vehicles 60-Foot Articulated BRT Vehicle 40-Foot BRT Vehicle Stations Enhanced Bus Shelters Station Branding 4 February 2015
4. Recommended Alternative Following feedback from the public, StarMetro riders and the Steering Committee, a Recommended Alternative was selected. The Recommended Alternative begins at the Tallahassee Community College (TCC) entrance on W. Pensacola Street and continues on W. Pensacola Street, Stadium Drive, W. Gaines Street, Duval Street (northbound), Bronough St. (southbound), ending at C.K. Steele Plaza. The Recommended Alternative would serve a number of major activity centers: TCC, FSU Stadium, Gaines/Madison Street, FSU Stadium & Law Building, Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and downtown. The transit technology is streetrunning BRT. A park-and-ride lot is proposed near TCC to serve commuter trips from west Tallahassee to FSU and downtown Tallahassee. The alignment is shown on Figure ES-. The Recommended Alternative would result in mobility and economic development benefits for District residents, workers, students and visitors: Along with improved commuter service on W. Tennessee St., provide enhanced mobility options in the District that will benefit nearly all StarMetro riders. By 2035, increase corridor transit ridership by 19% to 34% (depending on provision of parking). Reduce traffic congestion on W. Pensacola St., W. Gaines St. Support FSU s plans to expand and redevelop the Civic Center / Arena district. Provide a catalyst for continued economic development in the Gaines / Madison corridor. Figure ES-3: Recommended Alternative 5 February 2015
Recommended Alternative Fast Facts Project Length 4.3 miles Number of Stations 15 Guideway Semi-exclusive and shared traffic lanes Travel Time 20.9 minutes Opening Year Weekday Service Plan 15 min. peak / 15 min. midday / 30 min. evening Opening Year Weekday Ridership 1,376 (without parking near TCC) to 1,828 (with parking) Opening Year O&M Cost $1,045,000 (2014 dollars) Estimated Capital Cost $15.8 million (2014 dollars) 5. Next Steps The AA study included an analysis of potential economic benefits as well as potential funding and implementation strategies. For capital funding, StarMetro will explore the possibility of Federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration s (FTA) Small Starts program. The Small Starts program can fund 50% to 80% of the project s capital cost. The remaining funding could come from the State of Florida s New Starts program, Leon County sales tax revenues (e.g., StarMetro Enhancements, C.K. Steele Renovations, Westside Student Gateway Project), local public agency contributions, and contributions from strategic partners such as the CRA, FSU, TCC and private developers. For operating funding, potential funding sources include FTA s Section 5307 formula grants, State operating assistance, passenger fare revenue, advertising and naming rights, and private contributions or operating agreements. The following is a roadmap of next steps: 1. Include Recommended Alternative in StarMetro s Transit Development Plan and CRTPA s Regional Mobility Plan 2. Request entry to the FTA s Small Starts program Project Development phase. Project Development includes conceptual engineering and completion of environmental documentation as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Project Development phase is funded by the local project sponsor and would cost approximately $500,000 to $750,000. 3. StarMetro will implement short-term improvements that will support the Recommended Alternative (e.g., restructure local and Seminole Express routes, improve service frequency, implement transit signal priority). 4. Coordinate with other public and private initiatives including the citywide transit signal priority program, Westside Student Gateway project, FSU Campus Master Plan, and redevelopment of Gaines Street / Madison Street and the Civic Center / Arena area. 5. Refine local, state and federal funding strategies. 6 February 2015