BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA...

BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

6:30 PM

VTA Conference Room B-106

3331 North First Street

San Jose, CA

AGENDA

COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT:

The VTA BPAC provides expertise and guidance to the Board of Directors on promoting and

enhancing non-motorized transportation opportunities throughout Santa Clara County and

serves as liaison between VTA and the Member Agency bicycle and pedestrian advisory

committees.

CALL TO ORDER

1. ROLL CALL

2. ORDERS OF THE DAY

3. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS:

This portion of the agenda is reserved for persons desiring to address the Committee on

any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to 2 minutes. The law does not

permit Committee action or extended discussion on any item not on the agenda except

under special circumstances. If Committee action is requested, the matter can be placed

on a subsequent agenda. All statements that require a response will be referred to staff

for reply in writing.

4. Receive Committee Staff Report. (Verbal Report) (Ledbetter)

2016 Measure B Update (Verbal Report)

5. Receive Santa Clara County Staff Report. (Verbal Report) (Talbo)

6. Receive Chairperson's Report. (Verbal Report) (Hertan)

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee February 13, 2019

CONSENT AGENDA

7. ACTION ITEM – Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 7, 2018.

REGULAR AGENDA

8. ACTION ITEM - Conduct voting to determine the Committee's chairperson and vice

chairperson for 2019.

9. ACTION ITEM - Recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve a Transit Speed

Policy for VTA.

10. INFORMATION ITEM - Receive an update on the development of the 2019 New

Transit Service Plan.

11. DISCUSSION ITEM - Discuss 2016 Measure B Bicycle & Pedestrian Capital Projects

Competitive Grant Program draft criteria.

12. DISCUSSION ITEM - Discuss draft countywide pedestrian and bicycle education and

encouragement program activities.

OTHER

13. Receive Reports from BPAC subcommittees. (Verbal Report)

Best Practices for Transit Operators Training

Across Barrier Connections

14. Receive Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and 2000 Measure A Citizens Watchdog

Committee (CWC) Report. (Verbal Report) (Wadler)

15. Review BPAC Work Plan. (Ledbetter/Talbo)

16. ANNOUNCEMENTS

17. ADJOURN

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VI of the Civil Rights

Act of 1964, VTA will make reasonable arrangements to ensure meaningful access to its

meetings for persons who have disabilities and for persons with limited English proficiency who

need translation and interpretation services. Individuals requiring ADA accommodations should

notify the Board Secretary’s Office at least 48-hours prior to the meeting. Individuals requiring

language assistance should notify the Board Secretary’s Office at least 72-hours prior to the

meeting. The Board Secretary may be contacted at (408) 321-5680 or e-mail:

[email protected] or (408) 321-2330 (TTY only). VTA’s home page is on the web

at: www.vta.org or visit us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/scvta. (408) 321-2300:

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee February 13, 2019

中文 / Español / 日本語 / ÇÑ±¹¾î / tiếng Việt / Tagalog.

All reports for items on the open meeting agenda are available for review in the Board

Secretary’s Office, 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California, (408) 321-5680, the Monday,

Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to the meeting. This information is available on VTA’s website

at http://www.vta.org/ and also at the meeting.

VTA Advisory Committee

February 2019

Committee Staff Report

VTA Advisory Committees

February 7, 2019

2016 Measure B Update


February 7, 2019


February 7, 2019

2016 Measure B Press Event – January 2019

2016 Measure B Program Categories


February 7, 2019

• Master Funding Agreements to Member agencies for Execution• Review & distribute LSR Program Manual and required forms

• No 2016 Measure B funding needs anticipated

• Capital Projects grant program criteria; Anticipate call for projects summer 2019• Planning Projects grant program development;Anticipate call for projects winter 2019/2020• Education/Encouragement - master funding agree-ment under development

• Implementation Plan - Finalize scope/cost/schedule; Exe-cute contract• Continue coordination with three cities and Caltrain• Scheduling staff level technical working group meetings

• Draft funding agreement for $4.3 mil overhaul project - internal review• Reschedule of three train schedule - anticipate upon completion of PTC: July 2019

• VTA staff consulting with cities/county on Hwy projects• Noise abatement program - Develop program through 2019• Anticipate call for projects winter 2019/2020

• Overall program development• Working with County on project prioritization• Funding agreement/s development

• Transit Guideway Study contract Phase II kick-off meeting • Noise mitigation pilot projects contract - To release RFP

• Innovative Transit Service Models grant program devel-opment through 2019• Anticipate call for projects fall/winter 2019 or winter 2020

• Develop FY20/FY21 2016 Measure B Program projects and allocations for BOD approval• Develop web presence

2019 Anticipated Activities for 2016 Measure B2019 Anticipated Activities for 2016 Measure BTAC - Item #4CAC - Item #4BPAC - Item #4PAC - Item #4

Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) was called to

order at 6:32 p.m. by Chairperson Hertan in Conference Room B-106, Santa Clara Valley

Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San José, California.

1. ROLL CALL

Attendee Name Title Representing Status

Wes Brinsfield Member City of Los Altos Present

Kristal Caidoy Member City of Milpitas Present

Barry Chaffin Member City of Monte Sereno Present

Susan Cretekos Member Town of Los Altos Hills Present

Jaime Fearer Vice Chairperson City of San Jose Present

Peter Hertan Chairperson Town of Los Gatos Present

Erik Lindskog Member City of Cupertino Present

Robert Neff Member City of Palo Alto Present

Rafael Rius Member City of Santa Clara Present

Carolyn Schimandle Member City of Gilroy Present

David Simons Member City of Sunnyvale Present

Jim Stallman Member City of Saratoga Present

Paul Tuttle Member City of Campbell Present

Greg Unangst Member City of Mountain View Present

Herman Wadler Member County of Santa Clara Present

Vacant Member City of Morgan Hill n/a

Vacant Ex-Officio Member SV Bicycle Coalition n/a

Shiloh Ballard Alt. Ex-Officio Member SV Bicycle Coalition Absent

A quorum was present.

2. ORDERS OF THE DAY

There were no Orders of the Day.

3. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS:

Betsy Megas, Interested Citizen, noted the following: 1) encouraged the Committee to

provide feedback on the City of Santa Clara’s bike plan; 2) safety concerns when riding

bicycles; 3) bike storage issues; and 4) congratulated Member Stallman for his work on

the Bay Trail that got accepted in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC)

project proposal list.

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Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Minutes Page 2 of 6 November 7, 2018

4. Committee Staff Report

Lauren Ledbetter, Senior Transportation Planner and Staff Liaison, provided an overview

of the staff report, highlighting the following: 1) actions taken at the November 1, 2018

Board of Director’s meeting; 2) update on EZFare; 3) rescheduled Ad Hoc Financial

Stability Committee meeting to November 16, 2018, at 3:00 p.m.; 4) update on

October 17, 2018, Caltrans District 4 Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting; 5) update on

September 26, 2018, Caltrans District 4 Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting; 6)

VTA to host a webinar for the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals

(APBP) on November 14, 2018, at 12:00 p.m.; and 7) update on VTA’s Bike Ped

Program.

A Member of the Committee requested to receive crash data analysis.

On order of Chairperson Hertan, and there being no objection, the Committee received

the Committee Staff Report.

5. Santa Clara County Staff Report

Ben Aghegnehu, Santa Clara County Transportation Engineer, provided a report,

highlighting the following: 1) update on the Homestead Road corridor study and a

community meeting scheduled on November 26, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.; 2) update on the

Page Mill Road Expressway study project; and 3) appointment of Jacqueline Ociano, new

Director of the Planning and Development Department.

A Member of the Committee inquired about the timeline to complete the Page Mill Road

Expressway study project.

Upon inquiry, Mr. Aghegnehu provided project timeline for Page Mill Road Expressway

study project.


the Santa Clara County Staff Report.

6. Chairperson’s Report

Chairperson Hertan urged the Committee to attend the Ad Hoc Financial Stability

Committee meeting. He noted that it is a great meeting to learn about the organization’s

financial status and practice.


the Chairperson’s Report.

CONSENT AGENDA

7. Regular Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2018

M/S/C (Stallman/Unangst) on a vote of 14 ayes to 0 no to 1 abstention to approve the

Regular Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2018. Member Brinsfield abstained.

NOTE: M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

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8. VERBS Cycle 3-Supplemental Program of Projects

M/S/C (Stallman/Unangst) on a vote of 14 ayes to 0 no to 1 abstention to recommend

that the VTA Board of Directors: 1) Approve a program of projects for the Vehicle

Emissions Reductions Based at Schools (VERBS) Cycle 3 Program; and 2) Reprogram

$1,000,000 from the City of Los Altos Miramonte Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Access

Improvements project if, by January 31, 2019, the City of Los Altos is unable to proceed

with the Miramonte Avenue original project scope approved by the VTA Board of

Directors. Member Brinsfield abstained.

9. SR 87 Technology Corridor Study Report

Upon inquiry, staff indicated the bicycle and pedestrian group provided significant input

in the State Route 87 Technology Corridor Study.

M/S/C (Stallman/Unangst) on a vote of 14 ayes to 0 no to 1 abstention to receive the

State Route 87 Technology Corridor Study Report. Member Brinsfield abstained.

RESULT: APPROVED – Agenda Items #7 - #9 MOVER: Jim Stallman, Member

SECONDER: Greg Unangst, Member

AYES: Caidoy, Chaffin, Cretekos, Fearer, Hertan, Lindskog, Neff, Rius,

Schimandle, Simons, Stallman, Tuttle, Unangst, Wadler

NOES: None

ABSTAIN: Brinsfield

REGULAR AGENDA

10. Station Access Policy

Aiko Cuenco, Transportation Planner III, provided a presentation entitled “Station Access

Policy,” highlighting the following: 1) Policy consistency; 2) Access policies and

practices; 3) Station access policy; 4) Guiding principles; 5) Station access hierarchy;

6) Applies to; and 7) Next steps.

Members of the Committee and staff briefly discussed the impacts of the proposed policy

to the design of BART Silicon Valley stations and the policy’s nexus to VTA’s land use

and development initiative.

M/S/C (Unangst/Wadler) to recommend that the VTA Board of Directors adopt a

Station Access Policy for VTA.

7


RESULT: APPROVED – Agenda Item #10 MOVER: Greg Unangst, Member

SECONDER: Herman Wadler, Member

AYES: Brinsfield, Caidoy, Chaffin, Cretekos, Fearer, Hertan, Lindskog, Neff,

Rius, Schimandle, Simons, Stallman, Tuttle, Unangst, Wadler

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

11. VTA Land Use and Development Review Policy

Melissa Cerezo, Senior Transportation Planner, provided a presentation entitled “Land

Use and Development Review Policy,” highlighting the following: 1) Policy consistency;

2) Why are we creating this?; 3) Policy outreach; 4) Principles; 5) Strategies to fulfill

principles; 6) Policy tools; and 7) Next steps.

Members of the Committee provided the following comments: 1) importance of

involving impacted users in gathering data for projects; 2) staff to be proactive and get

involved early in the process; 3) include metrics to measure success; 4) consider

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the policy, and treat it separate from

pedestrians; and 5) questioned the effect of the policy on multiple projects.

M/S/C (Simons/Schimandle) to recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve

the VTA Land Use and Development Review Policy. Further directed having the BPAC

liaison or appropriate staff flag nexus to the development of bicycle and pedestrian

projects on the list, and to have appropriate pedestrian input be used on pedestrian

projects.

RESULT: APPROVED – Agenda Item #11 MOVER: David Simons, Member

SECONDER: Carolyn Schimandle, Member

AYES: Brinsfield, Caidoy, Chaffin, Cretekos, Fearer, Hertan, Lindskog, Neff,

Rius, Schimandle, Simons, Stallman, Tuttle, Unangst, Wadler

NOES: None

ABSENT: None

12. North San Jose Deficiency Plan Update

Ms. Cerezo and Ramses Madou, Division Manager, City of San Jose Department of

Transportation, provided a presentation entitled “North San Jose Deficiency Plan,”

highlighting the following: 1) Deficiency Plan/Multimodal Improvement Plan (MIP)

background; 2) MIP required elements; 3) North San Jose Deficiency Plan background;

4) Deficiency/MIP plan structure; 5) progress to date; 6) City of San Jose’s proposed

approach – goals; 7) proposed plan update; 8) phasing; 9) MIP required elements and

North San Jose potential changes; and 10) next steps.

Committee discussion ensued about the following: 1) effects regarding the change from

Level-of-Service (LOS) to Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT); 2) considerations for road

widening would create safety issues for bicycle and pedestrians; 3) Mabury Road/U.S.

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Route 101 Interchange project; 4) bring the plan to the City of San Jose’s BPAC;

5) promote safe routes from one jurisdiction to another; 6) need to update the project list,

making it multimodal, and aligned with development; and 7) need to increase housing

density.

Public Comment

Robin Roemer, Interested Citizen, expressed concern about the mode share distribution

of the plan, and inquired about viable actions to reduce traffic impact.


the North San Jose Deficiency Plan Update.

13. Election Process for 2019 Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Leadership:

Nomination Subcommittee Report

Chairperson Hertan provided the Nomination Subcommittee report, noting the following:

1) nominate Vice Chairperson Fearer as Chairperson for 2019; and 2) nominate Member

Stallman as Vice Chairperson for 2019.


the Nomination Subcommittee Report.

OTHER

14. Reports from BPAC Subcommittees

Best Practices for Transit Operators Training

Vice Chairperson Fearer reported that the Subcommittee will meet on

November 9, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. to discuss next steps. She noted Member Wadler

is on the Subcommittee, and encouraged BPAC members to join.

Across Barrier Connections

Member Stallman reported on the following actions taken by the Subcommittee at

its November 7, 2018 meeting: 1) reviewed scoring criteria for projects on the list;

and 2) provide attention to the Cross County Bicycle Connectors (CCBC) and

determine near term project opportunities.


reports from BPAC subcommittees.

15. Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and 2000 Measure A Citizens Watchdog

Committee (CWC) Report

There was no CAC/CWC report.

7


16. BPAC Work Plan

Ms. Ledbetter provided an overview of the work plan and provided a list of queue items.

On order of Chairperson Hertan, and there being no objection, the Committee

reviewed the BPAC Work Plan.

17. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Brinsfield acknowledged City of Mountain View BPAC for hosting a joint

meeting with the Los Altos Complete Streets Commission. He also announced that there

are residents in the City of Los Altos that oppose the reprogramming of $1,000,000 for

the Miramonte Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Improvements project.

Member Unangst announced the unfortunate fatality that occurred at Google

headquarters. He added that LinkedIn is doing major development on the City of

Mountain View resulting in planned modifications to the intersection of Middlefield

Road and California State Route 237.

Member Simons announced that the John Christian trail needs to be updated to align with

the planned development in the City of Sunnyvale.

Vice Chairperson Fearer provided the following announcements: 1) honor recent bicycle

fatalities; 2) City of San Jose had its 39th fatality yesterday; 3) distributed World Day of

Remembrance San Jose flyer; and 4) job opening for Walk San Jose Program Manager.

Member Neff announced that the City of Palo Alto is working on improvements to the

Grand Boulevard. He added that a community meeting is scheduled o November 8, 2018

at 6:30 p.m.

Member Stallman provided the following announcements: 1) received the North San Jose

Mobility Plan; and 2) attended the Pedestrian Symposium.

Member Rius invited the Committee to provide feedback on the City of Santa Clara’s

Bike Plan.

Chairperson Hertan shared his experience in riding the Bird electric scooter in San Jose.

18. ADJOURNMENT

On order of Chairperson Hertan and there being no objection, the meeting was

adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Diaresco, Board Assistant

VTA Office of the Board Secretary

7

Date: February 8, 2019

Current Meeting: February 13, 2019

Board Meeting: N/A

BOARD MEMORANDUM

TO: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority


THROUGH: General Manager, Nuria I. Fernandez

FROM: Board Secretary, Elaine Baltao

SUBJECT: Election Process for 2019 Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Leadership: Conduct Elections

Policy-Related Action: No Government Code Section 84308 Applies: No

ACTION ITEM

RECOMMENDATION:

Conduct voting to determine the Committee's chairperson and vice chairperson for 2019.

BACKGROUND:

The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) bylaws require that the committee elect

from its membership a chairperson and a vice chairperson annually to serve as the committee

leadership for the upcoming year. The bylaws also provide that the chairperson and vice

chairperson positions serve one-year terms coinciding with the calendar year and are eligible for

election to multiple terms. Only members, not alternates, are eligible to serve in these positions.

The elections for the BPAC leadership positions are conducted during the committee’s last

meeting of the calendar year (usually December), if practical.

The duties of the chairperson are to preside at all meetings of the committee and represent the

committee before the Board of Directors. The duty of the vice chairperson is to perform the

duties of the chairperson when the chairperson is absent. It is the responsibility of all advisory

committee chairpersons and vice chairpersons to participate in periodic coordination meetings

between themselves and the leadership of the VTA Board of Directors.

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DISCUSSION:

The election process for chairperson and vice chairperson is comprised of three distinct steps.

The first step is appointing the nomination subcommittee. The second is presentation of the

nomination subcommittee’s report. The final step is conducting elections to select the

chairperson and vice chairperson. Each of these components is conducted during the committee

meeting.

Appointing the Nomination Subcommittee

The chairperson requests volunteers to serve on the nomination subcommittee, which is typically

comprised of two or three members. If there are no volunteers or an insufficient number, it is the

chairperson’s prerogative to appoint committee members to serve on it. It is required that the

committee votes to approve the appointment of members to the nomination subcommittee. This

step normally takes place two meetings prior to conducting the elections.

The nomination subcommittee identifies members interested in serving as the chairperson or vice

chairperson. This is done by soliciting nominations from members, either for themselves or

other members, and is done at a time other than during the committee meeting. Additionally, it

is the nomination subcommittee’s responsibility to determine that members who have been

nominated are willing to serve. The nomination subcommittee may, but is not required to, make

a recommendation on its recommended candidate for each position.

At its October 2018 meeting, the BPAC approved the appointment of Members Peter Hertan and

Wes Brinsfield to serve on the nomination subcommittee.

Report from the Nomination Subcommittee

At the meeting immediately preceding the elections, the nomination subcommittee provides a

verbal report to the committee identifying committee members who have confirmed their

willingness to serve. This establishes the initial list of candidates for the elections to be held at

the next meeting. The nomination subcommittee is automatically discharged when its report is

formally presented to the committee. No action is required of the committee other than to

receive the report.

At the November 2018 BPAC meeting, the nomination subcommittee reported that the following

individuals had been nominated and had confirmed their willingness to serve:

Chair: Jamie Fearer, representative for the City of San José and current

BPAC Vice Chairperson

Vice Chair: Jim Stallman, representative for the City of Saratoga

On January 23, 2019, Jaime Fearer withdrew her interest in serving as the Chairperson for 2019.

At the February 13, 2019 BPAC meeting, the Chairperson will open up nominations from the

floor for the position of Chairperson.

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Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson

Due to the cancellation of the both the December 12, 2018, and January 16, 2019 meetings, the

elections for these positions are now scheduled to be conducted at the February 13, 2019 BPAC

meeting. The elections for the chairperson and vice chairperson positions are conducted

individually and in sequence. Immediately preceding the vote, the nomination subcommittee

report on individuals willing to serve in either position will be reiterated, and the chairperson will

verify that the named candidates still wish to be considered for the respective position. Next, the

chairperson will ask if there are any nominations from the floor, then close the nomination

process to establish the final list of candidates for each position. For instances of multiple

candidates for the same position, the order of voting for each candidate is alphabetically by last

name.

For BPAC, the affirmative vote of a majority of the total authorized membership, which is nine

votes, is required to elect each position. The term of office for each position for 2019 begins

immediately following the successful vote for each position.

ALTERNATIVES:

There are no alternatives since the Committee’s bylaws specify the election process.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact resulting from the election process.

Prepared by: Board Office

Memo No. 6756

8



Board Meeting: March 7, 2019

BOARD MEMORANDUM




FROM: Director - Planning & Programming, Chris Augenstein

SUBJECT: Transit Speed Policy

Policy-Related Action: Yes Government Code Section 84308 Applies: No

ACTION ITEM

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve a Transit Speed Policy for VTA.

BACKGROUND:

The average transit speed of VTA’s transit vehicles has declined 20% over the past 30 years.

When transit speeds decline, on-time reliability suffers, and transit becomes less appealing to

riders. Furthermore, slowing routes become increasingly more expensive to operate since VTA

must add more buses and trains to maintain the same frequency of service. This is especially

concerning on VTA’s highest ridership routes in the frequent network, which are among the

slowest in the system. For example, between July 2014 and January 2019, VTA added 33,000

service hours to the frequent network to compensate for slow transit speeds. This comes at a cost

of about $4M per year. However, if the average speed of the frequent network improves by just 1

mile-per-hour, it would reduce annual operating costs by over $15M per year. To address these

issues and improve overall system performance, VTA has developed a Transit Speed Policy,

provided as Attachment A.

Making Transit Faster

The primary sources of transit delay are increasing congestion, dwell time at stops/stations for

passengers to board and alight, and time spent approaching and waiting at traffic signals. For

example, VTA’s frequent network buses spend 32% of their time in traffic signal related delay

and 25% of their time dwelling at bus stops. The other 43% is spent moving along their routes.

A variety of treatments are necessary to mitigate sources of delay. Some of the treatments are

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within VTA’s control and ability to improve, while others require close coordination and

partnership with local jurisdictions. For example, VTA can improve the boarding process and

eliminate bus stops to reduce dwell time but providing the traffic signal priority and right-of-way

improvements necessary to move transit faster through intersections and along corridors is

generally outside VTA’s purview. Similarly, land use policies that determine the intensity of

people and activities close to transit are decisions made by local jurisdictions. Accordingly, fast

and reliable transit is dependent on support from, and coordination with, local jurisdictions.

To increase speed and improve reliability system-wide, in 2018 VTA initiated the Fast Transit

Program. A key component of this program is the creation of a transit speed policy that

formalizes VTA’s position to prioritize speed and reliability in planning and investment

decisions. This policy will support the work of the Fast Transit Program and provide structure

and direction to agency-wide efforts that impact transit speed and reliability.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed Transit Speed Policy is VTA’s commitment to improve systemwide transit speeds

and reliability, principally, but not exclusively, within the frequent network. It sets forth guiding

principles and strategies for implementing improvements aimed at making transit fast, and it

provides a framework for advancing these strategies with local jurisdictions. Additionally, the

policy provides guidance for local jurisdictions to develop or enhance their own local mobility

policies and procedures to support the fast and safe operation of transit in throughout the county.

Successful implementation of the policy will result in a significantly more efficient and effective

transit system that is attractive to riders and supports the broader mobility goals of the

jurisdictions where VTA operates.

The policy fulfills two of VTA’s Business Lines as described in the 2016 adopted Strategic Plan:

a network of Fast, Frequent, and Reliable transit service and Delivering Projects and Programs

through land use and transportation integration. The principles and strategies outlined in the

policy are designed to advance these VTA directives. Additionally, the policy will work hand in

hand with other VTA policies including but not limited to the Complete Streets Policy, the Land

Use and Development Review Policy, the Commuter Shuttle Policy, the Station Access Policy,

and the Transit Service Guidelines. Ultimately, the success of the policy depends on the ongoing

cooperation, support, and partnership between VTA and local jurisdictions or other partners.

The policy is divided into the following sections:

Guiding Principles

A set of principles to guide VTA’s efforts to make transit fast and reliable. The principles

describe how VTA will work to increase ridership, reduce operating costs, and build effective

partnerships.

Strategies

A set of strategies that provide a starting point for VTA to develop and implement specific speed

and reliability solutions to fulfill the vision contained in the guiding principles. This includes

removing sources of delay within VTA’s control; working with local jurisdictions to reduce

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delay on streets and at intersections; funding and implementing improvements; and measuring,

monitoring, and reporting on the effectiveness of speed and reliability improvements and the

performance of the Policy.

Next Steps

VTA’s proposed Transit Speed Policy is presented to the Advisory and Standing Committees for

discussion. Based on input received, staff could revise the draft policy and provide it to the

Board of Directors for policy adoption in March 2019.

ALTERNATIVES:

The VTA Board of Directors could decide not to adopt the policy, or request staff to modify

certain aspects of the policy.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No direct fiscal impacts are identified. However, the adoption of this policy could result in a

reduction in operating costs because faster transit speeds will reduce the amount of service hours

necessary to maintain frequency.

Prepared by: Tamiko Percell

Memo No. 6841

ATTACHMENTS:

8756_Att_A (DOC)

9

POLICY Document Number: 340.005

Transit Speed Version Number: 1

Date: 1/17/2019

Original Date:

01/17/2019

Revision Date:

N/A Page 1 of 6

1. Purpose:

The Transit Speed Policy establishes planning and investment priorities for the Santa Clara Valley

Transportation Authority (VTA) to address the long-standing trend of declining speeds and reliability across

VTA’s bus and light rail network. The policy is a commitment to align VTA’s internal planning, design,

funding, and operating practices, and strengthen partnerships with local jurisdictions to make transit fast and

reliable.

2. Scope:

This policy applies to all departments and personnel within VTA, including consultants and contractors,

who have a role in policy development, planning, design, funding, implementation, and operations of

transportation projects and programs that impact transit speed in Santa Clara County. The policy also acts as

guidance when working with local jurisdictions and developers that propose projects and changes to traffic

operations that may impact VTA’s transit lines.

3. Responsibilities:

3.1. VTA Divisions will incorporate the guiding principles and strategies established in this policy into all

phases of their projects when and where those projects or programs have the potential to positively or

negatively impact transit speed and reliability, or where new projects are proposed by local jurisdictions

or private parties.

3.2. Recognizing that VTA does not have authority over the streets on which it operates, the success of the

policy will rely on the ongoing cooperation, responsiveness, and partnership of local jurisdictions. The

policy also acts as guidance for local jurisdictions to enhance or adopt their own local mobility policies

that embed fast and reliable transit as a core function of their mobility systems.

3.3. VTA’s Planning and Programming Division will review and update the policy on a regular basis.

4. Policy:

Providing fast and reliable transit service is critical to operating an efficient and attractive transit system.

Faster transit will increase ridership, reduce operating costs, and relies on building effective partnerships in

the cities in which VTA operates. Successful implementation of the policy demands VTA show proactive

leadership to prioritize transit speed and reliability.

A. Guiding Principles

The policy establishes a set of foundational principles to support and guide VTA’s work to make transit

fast and reliable.

9.a



Date: 1/17/2019

Original Date:

01/17/2019

Revision Date:

N/A Page 2 of 6

Increase Ridership

Enhance the passenger experience by quickly, reliably, and safely moving customers to their

destinations.

Prioritize speed and reliability improvements to the Frequent Network, to improve service on

VTA’s most productive routes.

Achieve and maintain VTA’s goal of an average bus route speed of at least 15 mph for non-

express routes per the current adopted Transit Service Guidelines.

Achieve and maintain an average light rail system speed of at least 20 mph.

Ensure safe accommodation for all riders of all abilities and safe operating conditions for transit

vehicle operators.

Improve the passenger perception of speed and reliability with accurate real-time information and

timely updates for service delays.

Provide convenient, comfortable, and safe access to transit stops and stations per the current

adopted Station Access Policy.

Reduce Operating Costs

Promote speed and reliability improvements that reduce delay and increase speed to lower operating

costs.

Target combinations of speed improvements to spots, hubs, and corridors within the Frequent

Network to maximize benefits and minimize costs.

Consider life cycle costs including capital and maintenance costs in the design of speed

improvements and investments in technology, infrastructure, and services that speed up transit.

Promote cost-effectiveness by prioritizing projects that leverage other fund sources and local

matches to maximize the value of VTA’s investments, including local development

contributions.

Build Effective Partnerships

Work in partnership with local jurisdictions, advocacy groups, mobility and technology providers,

private entities, and the community to develop context-sensitive speed and reliability improvements to

unlock the broad benefits of quality transit.

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Encourage local jurisdictions to incorporate transit first policy statements into their own mobility

policies, or adopt their own transit speed policy that supports the technology, infrastructure,

right-of-way optimization, and signal priority necessary to move transit vehicles faster along city

streets.

Collaborate with local jurisdictions and developers to proactively incorporate speed and

reliability improvements at the earliest stages of their projects.

Coordinate with third party shuttle providers to encourage responsible use of VTA facilities so as

not to impede VTA access to bus stops per VTA’s current adopted Commuter Shuttle Policy.

Facilitate partnership opportunities between public and private sector to test and evaluate

emerging technologies aimed at improving transit speeds.

Leverage resources for speed improvements through cost-sharing, data sharing and information

sharing with partners.

Partner with local jurisdictions to jointly plan and fund targeted improvements to make transit

faster and help local jurisdictions achieve their mobility goals.

B. Strategies for Implementation

The following strategies serve as the starting point to develop and implement specific speed and

reliability solutions that can increase average transit speed and improve reliability of transit.

Remove Sources of Delay within VTA’s Control

Employ strategies that reduce dwell time caused by frequent stopping such as eliminating

unnecessary or underutilized stops, setting thresholds to upgrade routes to Rapid service, and

implementing new headway management practices.

Prioritize transit speed in service planning and route design, emphasizing the importance of

routes that are straight and direct, with limited deviations and turning movements as defined in

the Transit Service Guidelines.

Implement strategies to expedite boarding and alighting such as fare policy changes, new

technology, off-board fare collection, smart cards, and all-door boarding.

Ensure existing and new VTA operating policies and procedures do not inadvertently slow down

transit.

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Work with Local Jurisdictions to Reduce Transit Delay on Streets and at Intersections

Work with local jurisdictions to establish transit signal priority agreements that provide the

highest level of transit priority and define protocols for signal timing changes, monitoring, and

evaluation criteria.

Encourage local jurisdictions to prioritize transit speed and reliability improvements to the

Frequent Network.

Pursue infrastructure changes and policy actions that minimize delay to help transit move faster

such as queue jumps, leading bus lights, bulb outs, in lane stopping, removing parking,

eliminating turning conflicts, implementing bus lanes, and enforcement of loading zones.

Ensure multi-modal street improvements and transit speed and reliability improvements

complement each other as outlined in VTA’s current adopted Complete Streets Policy.

Encourage cities and developers to mitigate potential sources of transit delay generated by new

developments by locating driveways and signals away from on-street bus stops.

Ensure that new access across light rail is provided via grade separation in order to safeguard the

traveling public and minimize transit delays. Per VTA’s current adopted Land Use and

Development Policy, VTA will not support new at-grade crossings of light rail.

Fund and Implement

Incorporate speed and reliability design elements into capital projects led by VTA, local

jurisdictions, and private developers.

Seek grant funding, public-private partnerships, joint funding with local jurisdictions, and/or

other funding sources for construction and maintenance.

Identify opportunities to tie VTA-administered grant funding to the policy so as to encourage

local jurisdictions to improve transit speeds.

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Monitor, Measure, Report

Measure the effectiveness of speed improvements based on metrics such as ridership, signal

delay, passenger seconds of delay, travel time, on-time performance, average mph, dwell time,

layover time, and seconds per boarding.

Periodically re-evaluate VTA’s measure of on time performance against industry standards and

best practices for its impact on operating cost, reliability, and rider expectations.

Incorporate quarterly speed and reliability updates into the quarterly performance monitoring and

reporting as set forth in the Transit Service Guidelines.

Enhance and support the policy by including an update on the performance of the policy in the

Annual Transit Service Plan highlighting cost savings, travel time savings, partnerships,

challenges, lessons learned, and recommended refinements to the policy.

5. Definitions:

Annual Transit Service Plan is the annual process and adoption of a plan to implement policies set forth in

VTA’s Transit Service Guidelines.

Dwell time is the amount of time a transit vehicle spends at a scheduled stop.

Frequent network refers to VTA’s core routes that provide service every 15 minutes or better all day on

weekdays. VTA’s frequent network includes all light rail lines, rapid lines, and routes 22, 23, 25, 26, 57, 60,

61, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 73, 77.

Layover is the time that a bus or light rail vehicle waits at the end or beginning a trip.

On-time performance measures the percentage of actual arrival times that are within three minutes early

and five minutes late at designated points along transit routes. It is a leading indicator of service reliability

and a reflection of customer experience.

Passenger seconds of delay is the amount of delay multiplied by the number of people on board.

Reliability is the ability of transit vehicles to arrive at stops at consistent and predictable times.

Seconds per boarding is the total dwell time at a bus stop divided by total boardings.

Signal delay is the amount of time a bus spends dwelling in traffic because of signal timing.

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Transit Service Guidelines are an adopted set of actions that establish a framework to objectively monitor

and evaluate VTA’s transit services, develop service change recommendations, and develop annual service

plans that move VTA toward achieving the current adopted Strategic Plan goal of providing fast, frequent,

and reliable transit.

Travel time is the amount of time a bus takes to travel from stop to stop or from end to end of a route.

6. Summary of Changes:

None

7. Approval Information:

Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

Tamiko Percell

Transportation Planner

Chris Augenstein

Director of Planning and Projects

Nuria I. Fernández

General Manager/CEO

VTA Board of Directors

Date Approved:

9.a

Transit Speed PolicyAdvisory Committees

February 2019

TAC Agenda Item #8

CAC Agenda Item #9

BPAC Agenda Item #9

PAC Agenda Item #8

2

TOD

Policy Consistency

Complete Streets

Transit Speed

Complete Streets

Commuter Shuttle

Land Use & Development Review

Station Access

3

• VTA

• CitiesTransit Speed Policy

• Identify all causes of slow speeds

• Determine potential solutionsSpeed and Reliability

Analysis

• Projects

• Procedures/MeasurementRecommendations

Fast Transit Program

VTA Transit Speeds are Declining

4

14.1 MPH1988

12.8 MPH2005

12.6 MPH2001

11.6 MPH2016

5

25%

43%

32%Dwell Time at Stops

Travel Time

Delay Time atSignals

Causes of Delay in the Frequent Network

Time Moving

6

Route by Route Analysis of Delay

Route 25

7

Bus Stop Balancing

Operations

Infrastructure

Transit Lanes

Ci

Traffic Control

Spots Hubs Corridors

Fast Transit Program Toolbox

Policy

Policy Guiding Principles

8

Increase Ridership

Reduce Costs

Build Effective Partnerships

9

Next Steps

Policy Approval

VTA Committees | February 2019

TAC, BPAC, CTMA (March), CAC, PAC,

CMPP, SSTPO, A&F

VTA Board | March 2019

Fast Transit Program update | March/April 2019



Board Meeting: N/A

BOARD MEMORANDUM





SUBJECT: Proposal for 2019 New Transit Service Plan

FOR INFORMATION ONLY

BACKGROUND:

This is a staff proposal for a 2019 New Transit Service Plan that incorporates the direction

provided by the VTA Board of Directors at its December 2018 meeting.

Following an intense two-year planning effort in collaboration with Jarrett Walker + Associates,

the community, and transit stakeholders, the VTA Board of Directors adopted the Next Network

transit service plan in May 2017. The plan was to be implemented with the start of BART service

to Milpitas and Berryessa. As adopted, the Next Network plan comprised 1,601,000 annual bus

hours and 192,000 annual rail hours of service, with an 83% ridership and 17% coverage mix.

Since adoption, VTA's existing service network (in place and largely unchanged since 2008)

remains in effect until the introduction of BART service.

To help address VTA's structural deficit and improve its long-term financial stability, in

December 2018 the Board of Directors adopted the Ad Hoc Financial Stability Committee's

recommendations. Included in these recommendations was direction to develop a 2019 New

Transit Service Plan that would replace the original Next Network plan at approximately the

same service level as FY2018, but with a higher ridership focus, in order to achieve a $14.7M

annual operating cost savings.

Per VTA's Transit Service Guidelines and the Title VI Major Service Change policy, any major

service change must be developed as part of a comprehensive service plan development process,

which must include outreach/engagement with the community, an analysis of ADA paratransit

impacts, a CEQA environmental analysis, and a Title VI service equity analysis. Accordingly,

the necessary first step of this process is for staff to develop and present this network proposal

for Board and community consideration.

DISCUSSION:

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At its December 2018 meeting, the VTA Board of Directors directed staff to develop a new

transit service plan, based on the original Next Network, but with several changes. The proposed

service plan presented here generally meets all three of the Board’s parameters for the new plan:

1. Maintain transit service at levels approximately the same as what is offered today,

1.52M annual hours of bus service and 156K annual hours of rail service, to achieve

a $14.7M reduction in annual operating costs. The proposed plan would achieve a net

$14.7M reduction in annual operating costs, however the plan divides the cuts between

bus and rail service to preserve BART connections, ridership, and efficiency.

2. Adjust the network’s ridership/coverage balance to 90% ridership and 10%

coverage. The proposed plan would achieve a 90/10 ridership/coverage balance.

3. Protect service in South County. All local bus service as adopted in the original Next

Network plan is maintained in South County with no reductions. Route 68, which is South

County’s “backbone” transit route into San Jose, is improved significantly (resulting

from the shift to a 90/10 network). Express bus service to South County would be

reduced, however, as part of coverage reductions in the entire Express Bus program.

The original Next Network transit service plan was used as the baseline for this proposal,

and as such, the proposed plan is presented by prescribing changes as compared to the

original service plan. While service cuts are always difficult because the loss of transit service

impacts real riders, staff aimed to focus cuts on the least productive services in the network

(routes with the fewest boardings per hour of service) to minimize the impact to riders and

improve the proposal’s systemwide ridership. Accordingly, the proposed plan minimizes cuts to

VTA’s Next Network light rail system plan, as it represents the foundation of VTA’s ridership-

oriented service. To follow the direction to move to a 90/10 network, the proposal focuses most

of the service cuts to coverage services throughout the Local and Express route network. The

most significant major changes are also illustrated on the map in Attachment A. Attachment B

lists the municipalities impacted by each change.

Service Reductions

The proposed service plan includes 61 reductions in service as compared to the original Next

Network plan. All the reductions are to coverage service (to limit ridership impacts). Each

change in service is detailed below; the most significant major changes are highlighted in bold.

Purple Line (Almaden)

1. Discontinue Purple Line rail service (Almaden spur)

2. Replace Purple Line rail service with a new bus route that will stop at all three

stations (Ohlone/Chynoweth, Oakridge, Almaden) at 30-minute frequency, on the

same days and generally the same hours as the Purple Line

Blue Line (Alum Rock – Santa Teresa)

3. Shorten to end at Baypointe Station instead of Alum Rock Station; stations east of

Baypointe would be served by the Orange Line (Mountain View – Alum Rock)

All Light Rail Lines

4. Change weekend frequency to every 20 minutes on all lines (to provide better

connections with BART’s 20-minute weekend train frequency)

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Rapid 523 (Berryessa – Lockheed Martin)

5. End Saturday service at Sunnyvale Transit Center instead of Lockheed Martin after 8:00

PM

6. End Sunday service at Sunnyvale Transit Center instead of Lockheed Martin after 7:30

PM

Route 20 (Milpitas BART – Sunnyvale Transit Center)

7. End weekday service at 8:30 PM instead of 10:00 PM

Route 21 (Stanford Shopping Center – Santa Clara Transit Center)


Route 22 (Palo Alto – Eastridge)

9. Discontinue overnight service (1:00 AM to 4:00 AM)

Route 27 (Winchester Station – Kaiser San Jose)

10. Start weekday service at 6:00 AM instead of 5:30 AM


12. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 40 minutes from every 30 minutes

13. End Saturday service at 8:00 PM instead of 9:00 PM

14. End Sunday service at 7:30 PM instead of 8:00 PM

Route 31 (Evergreen Valley College – Eastridge)

15. Discontinue Sunday service

16. Start Saturday service at 8:30 AM instead of 7:30 AM

Route 40 (Foothill College – Mountain View Transit Center)


Route 44/47 (Milpitas BART – McCarthy Ranch)



20. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 40 minutes from 30

21. Reduce Sunday frequency to every 60 minutes from 30






Route 53 (Sunnyvale Transit Center – Santa Clara Transit Center)


27. Discontinue Saturday service

28. Eliminate deviation to Stevens Creek (stay on Homestead)

Route 56 (Lockheed Martin – Tamien Station)

29. Eliminate deviation to downtown Sunnyvale (stay on Fair Oaks)


31. Start Sunday service at 8:00 AM instead of 7:30 AM

Route 57 (Old Ironsides Station – West Valley College)

32. End weekday service at 11:00 PM instead of 12:00 midnight

Route 59 (Valley Fair – Baypointe Station)


34. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 60 minutes from 30


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37. Start Sunday service at 8:00 AM instead of 7:30 AM

Route 61 (Sierra & Piedmont – Good Samaritan Hospital)



Route 63 (San Jose State – Kooser & Blossom Hill)



41. Discontinue route

Route 71 (Milpitas BART – Capitol Station)


Route 72 (Downtown San Jose – Senter & Monterey via McLaughlin)

43. Reduce weekday frequency to every 30 minutes from every 20 between 8:00 PM and

9:00 PM

44. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 30 minutes from every 20 between 7:00 PM and

9:00 PM

45. Reduce Sunday frequency to every 60 minutes from every 30 between 8:00 PM and 9:00

PM

Route 73 (Downtown San Jose – Senter & Monterey via Senter)

46. Reduce weekday frequency to every 30 minutes from every 20 between 8:00 PM and

9:00 PM

47. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 30 minutes from every 20 between 7:00 PM and

9:00 PM

Route 77 (Milpitas BART – Eastridge)


49. End Saturday service at 11:00 PM instead of 12:00 midnight


Route 83 (Ohlone/Chynoweth Station – Almaden & McKean)


Express 101 (Camden & Highway 85 – Stanford Research Park)


Express 102 (South San Jose – Stanford Research Park)

53. Eliminate 2 of 7 daily trips in each direction

Express 103 (Eastridge – Stanford Research Park)


Express 121 (South County – Lockheed Martin)


Express 122 (South San Jose – Lockheed Martin)


Express 168 (South County – San Jose Diridon Station)


Express 182 (Palo Alto – IBM/Bailey Ave)


Express 185 (South County – Mountain View)


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Route 251 (St. Francis High School – Mountain View Transit Center)

60. Discontinue school-oriented route

Route 255 (Fremont High School – Lawrence & Tasman)

61. Discontinue school-oriented route (regular Route 55 trips would remain)

Route 266 (Santa Teresa High School – Bernal & Via Serena)

62. Discontinue school-oriented route

Service Improvements

Since the proposed plan aims to achieve a 90/10 ridership/coverage balance as compared to the

original Next Network plan’s 83/17 balance, the proposal also includes additional investments in

the Frequent Network, VTA’s ridership-oriented network of frequent routes that are designed for

serving and attracting high ridership. The proposed service plan includes 6 improvements to

routes in the Frequent Network as compared to the original Next Network plan. Each

improvement is detailed below.

Rapid 500 (Berryessa BART – Diridon Station)

1. Improve weekday frequency to every 7.5 minutes all day (average) from every 10-15

minutes

Route 23 (De Anza College – Alum Rock Station)

2. Improve weekday and weekend service frequency between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM

Route 26 (West Valley College – Eastridge)

3. Improve weekday service frequency between Curtner Station and Westgate to every

15 minutes from 30, extending the all-day Frequent segment of the route west

beyond Curtner Station

4. Improve weekend service frequency between Curtner Station and Westgate to every

20 minutes from every 30

Route 68 (San Jose Diridon Station – Gilroy Transit Center)

5. Improve weekday midday service frequency between Santa Teresa Station and

Gilroy to every 15 minutes from 30, which would make the entire route from San

Jose to Gilroy frequent all day

Rapid 522 (Palo Alto – Eastridge)

6. Improve early morning and evening frequency to every 15 minutes from every 20,

daily

Service Levels

The proposed service plan would divide the service cuts between bus and rail to achieve the

Board’s goal of a net annual $14.7M savings versus the original plan. The Ad Hoc Financial

Stability Committee recommendation was to focus more of the cuts on the light rail network;

however, such extreme cuts to the light rail network would have been contrary to the direction to

create a more ridership-oriented network (since VTA light rail carries far more riders per hour of

service than VTA bus). Therefore, the revised plan as proposed focuses the cuts on coverage

service throughout the bus network. As Table 1 shows, the proposal includes 1.49M annual

hours of bus service and 172K annual hours of rail service.

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Table 1: Summary of Proposed Plan Service Level

Original Ad Hoc Committee Proposed % Reduction

Next Network Plan Recommendation Plan from Original Plan

Annual Hours (Bus) 1,601,000 1,520,000 1,490,000 – 6.9%

Annual Hours (Rail) 192,000 156,000 172,000 – 10.4%

Ridership Impact

The reduction in service levels will have a negative impact on VTA transit ridership, as well as

BART ridership in Santa Clara County. At the same time, the transition to a 90/10

ridership/coverage network through additional investments in the Frequent Network will have a

positive impact on ridership. Table 2 provides a planning-level estimate of the proposal’s net

change in ridership as compared to the original Next Network plan.

Table 2: Estimate of Ridership Impacts

Annual Boardings

Current Ridership (Dec. ‘17 – Nov. ‘18) 36,141,014

Original Next Network VTA Ridership 40,372,000

Impact of Light Rail Reductions – 566,000

Impact of Bus Reductions – 607,000

Impact of Bus Improvements + 662,000

Net Impact – 511,000 (– 1.3% from original plan)

Proposed Plan VTA Ridership 39,407,000

In addition to the impact on VTA transit ridership, the proposed plan would also impact BART

ridership at both stations in Santa Clara County due to fewer VTA transit connections,

particularly at Milpitas Station. For example, the longstanding plan to provide Blue Line and

Orange Line service at Milpitas Station (service every 7.5 minutes) would be cut in half to just

the Orange Line (service every 15 minutes). Quantifying the proposal’s BART ridership impact

would require significant further analysis not possible in the timeframe of this memorandum.

The revised service levels and VTA ridership impacts discussed above are anticipated to result in

a $14.7M net annual savings versus the cost of the original Next Network plan (a 4% reduction).

Outreach and Next Steps

Following the January VTA’s Board of Directors meeting, staff will immediately begin an

intensive two-month community outreach effort to gather feedback on the proposal, as dictated

by VTA’s Transit Service Guidelines and Title VI Major Service Change policy. Community

and stakeholder feedback will be used to revise the plan for the final version that will be

presented to the Board of Directors for adoption in the spring.

To complete the process and have sufficient time to prepare for and deploy the revised network

in time for day one of BART service, the process will need to move quickly and there is little

room for delay in the schedule:

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December 2018: Board directs staff to develop new service plan

January 2019: Staff presents new service plan proposal to Board

January 2019 to February 2019: Staff conducts community outreach, ADA paratransit

analysis, CEQA analysis, and draft Title VI service equity analysis

March 2019: Staff revises plan based on community and stakeholder input

April 2019: Staff presents final service plan to VTA Board Committees

May 2019: Staff presents final service plan to VTA Board of Directors for adoption

May 2019 to September 2019: Staff conducts implementation activities (prepares

schedules, revises customer information, fabricates and installs new bus stop signage, and

a host of other activities to implement the new network on day one of BART service)

Staff will provide updates to the Board of Directors throughout the spring as staff conduct

outreach, analysis, and develops the final plan. The final plan to be presented for the Board’s

adoption in May will include service details, analysis, and maps.

Related Efforts

Fast Transit Program. Alongside this effort to revise the transit service plan, staff is actively

ramping up efforts to speed up VTA buses and trains, which are suffering from a long-term

gradual decline in average speeds due to a variety of factors. Since the cost of VTA transit

service is directly related to the speed of buses and trains, slower speeds are effectively a service

cut because they result in higher costs to deliver the same service. Alarmingly, VTA’s speeds

have declined 20% over the last 30 years, resulting in a 20% increase in operating costs to

maintain the same miles of service, and that trend has accelerated significantly in recent years.

To illustrate the potential impact of faster transit, a speed increase on VTA’s Frequent Network

of just 1 mile-per-hour would reduce annual operating costs by well over $15M, which would

eliminate the need to make any of the cuts as proposed in this plan. Staff are actively studying all

sources of delay to VTA buses and trains and will be working with the VTA Board and our

municipal partners to implement policies and actions that put transit first. Accordingly, staff are

exploring cost-effective strategies that other transit properties have implemented to great success

in speeding up transit, including transit signal priority, removing and consolidating bus stops, all-

door boarding, and fare policies that reduce the delays related to cash fare collection.

Express Bus Study. VTA staff in late 2018 began a comprehensive study of VTA’s nine-route

Express bus program. Following a VTA Committee and Board report on the program’s poor

performance in spring 2018, staff have begun an effort to conduct a thorough analysis of each

route, collaborate with stakeholders on new ideas for commute services, and develop a new

service plan that will better meet the needs of commuters as well as VTA’s performance

standards. While this 2019 New Transit Service Plan proposal would reduce the Express bus

program’s total service level by half, staff will continue the study on the remainder and make

recommendations with the remaining resources (likely late 2019 or early 2020).

ALTERNATIVES:

Alternatively, the Board could reject the proposal and elect to proceed with a different transit

network plan altogether. One alternative could be implemented without any further outreach or

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analysis and could be in place on day one of BART service:

1. The Board could elect to abandon the direction to revise the transit service plan, in which

case staff would implement the original Next Network transit service plan as adopted in

2017.

However, implementing the service levels in the original Next Network transit service plan

would not achieve the desired $14.7M and would seriously jeopardize VTA’s long-term

financial stability.

Aside from the original Next Network plan or the revised plan as proposed in this memo, any

other network plan would require development, subsequent analysis, and a full Title VI outreach

and community engagement process. Unfortunately, there may not be sufficient time to complete

the necessary tasks in time for day one of BART service, meaning the new network may not be

ready and VTA would continue to operate today’s network after BART service begins. Although

not recommended by staff because it is likely the network would not be ready for day one of

BART service, the Board could elect to:

2. Direct staff to develop a new transit service plan based more strictly on the Ad Hoc

Financial Stability Committee’s original recommendation to focus the cuts on the light

rail network (i.e. a light rail network without the new Orange Line). Staff would present

such a plan to the Board in February and proceed along a similar timeline. However, due

to the delay, it may be a challenge for staff to implement the network in time for day one

of BART service.

3. Direct staff to develop a new transit service plan based on a new set of criteria. Staff

would present the new plan to the Board in February. The delay would push the schedule

out and the network would not be ready for implementation until November 2018 at the

earliest.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is minimal direct fiscal impact from directing staff to conduct outreach on the proposed

Next Network service plan revision. However, if the proposed plan revision is implemented, the

updated service levels and VTA ridership impacts discussed above are anticipated to result in

annual net savings of $14.7M versus the cost of the original Next Network plan.

Prepared By: Jay Tyree

Memo No. 6878

10

S a n Fr a n c i sco B ay

Express Bus changes not shown on map:

Discontinue routeExpress 101 Camden & 85 – Palo AltoREDUCTION

Discontinue routeExpress 122 REDUCTION

Discontinue routeDiscontinue routeExpress 185 South County – Mountain ViewREDUCTION

Discontinue routeExpress 182 Palo Alto – IBM/Bailey AveREDUCTION

Discontinue 2 unproductive trips each direction(currently 7 trips each direction)

Express 102 South San Jose – Palo AltoREDUCTION

Discontinue 1 unproductive trip each direction(currently 4 trips each direction)

Express 103 Eastridge – Palo AltoREDUCTION


Express 121 REDUCTION


Express 168 South County – San JoseREDUCTION

Improve frequency to every 15 minutes during early morning and evening

Rapid 522IMPROVEMENT

Improve evening frequencyRoute 23IMPROVEMENT

Improve weekday frequency between Westgate and Curtner Station from 30-min to 15-min

Route 26IMPROVEMENT

End at Baypointe Station instead of Alum Rock Station

Blue Line light railREDUCTION

Eliminate deviation to Stevens Creek (stay on Homestead)

Route 53REDUCTION

Discontinue overnight serviceRoute 22REDUCTION

Discontinue Sunday serviceRoute 31REDUCTION

Eliminate deviation to downtown Sunnyvale

Route 56REDUCTION

Discontinue routeRoute 83REDUCTION

Discontinue routeRoute 65REDUCTION

Discontinue Almaden light rail;replace with bus every 30 minutes

Purple Line light railREDUCTION

Improve weekday midday frequency in South County from 30-min to 15-min

Route 68IMPROVEMENT

23

26

68

522

22

52250023

22

53

56

83

65

31

68

Improve weekday midday frequency in South County from 30-min to 15-min

Route 68IMPROVEMENT

Improve weekday frequency to every7.5 minutes (average), all day

Rapid 500IMPROVEMENT

MorganHill

San Martin

Gilroy

Major Changes in the Revised Next Network Service PlanAttachment A

This page shows the major and as compared to the original Next Network planIMPROVEMENTS REDUCTIONS

10.a

baltao_e

Typewritten Text

baltao_e

Text Box

Major Changes in the 2019 New Transit Service Plan

Attachment B(compared to original Next Network plan)

Annual Municipalities Impacted by Change

Change Number and Description Hours Cam Cup Gil LA LAH LG Mil MS MH MV PA SJ SC Sar Sun

Purple Line (Almaden)

4 1. Discontinue Purple Line Almaden rail service -6,170 X

1 2.Replace Purple Line rail service with a new bus route that will stop at all three stations at 30-

minute frequency, on the same days and generally the same hours as the Purple Line5,800 X

Blue Line (Alum Rock – Santa Teresa)

1 3.Shorten to end at Baypointe Station instead of Alum Rock Station; stations east of Baypointe would

be served by the Orange Line (Mountain View – Alum Rock) only-13,562 X X

All Light Rail Lines X X X X X X

4.Change weekend frequency to every 20 minutes on all lines (to provide better connections with

BART’s 20-minute weekend train frequency)n/a

Rapid 523 (Berryessa – Lockheed Martin)

5. End Saturday service at Sunnyvale Transit Center instead of Lockheed Martin after 8:00 PM -89 X

6. End Sunday service at Sunnyvale Transit Center instead of Lockheed Martin after 7:30 PM -110 X

Route 20 (Milpitas BART – Sunnyvale Transit Center)

7. End weekday service at 8:30 PM instead of 10:00 PM -489 X X X X

Route 21 (Stanford Shopping Center – Santa Clara Transit Center)


Route 22 (Palo Alto – Eastridge)

1 9. Discontinue overnight service (1:00 AM to 4:00 AM) -3,789 X X X X X X

Route 27 (Winchester Station – Kaiser San Jose)

10. Start weekday service at 6:00 AM instead of 5:30 AM -144 X X X X


12. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 40 minutes from every 30 minutes -416 X X X X

13. End Saturday service at 8:00 PM instead of 9:00 PM -307 X X X X

14. End Sunday service at 7:30 PM instead of 8:00 PM -168 X X X X

Route 31 (Evergreen Valley College – Eastridge)

1 15. Discontinue Sunday service -478 X

16. Start Saturday service at 8:30 AM instead of 7:30 AM -49 X


17. Start Saturday service at 8:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM -63 X X X

Route 44/47 (Milpitas BART – McCarthy Ranch)

18. Start weekday service at 6:00 AM instead of 5:30 AM -561 X

19. End weekday service at 9:00 PM instead of 10:00 PM -510 X

20. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 40 minutes from 30 -546 X

21. Reduce Sunday frequency to every 60 minutes from 30 -598 X

22. Start Saturday service at 8:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM -110 X

23. End Saturday service at 8:00 PM instead of 9:00 PM -111 X

24. End Sunday service at 7:00 PM instead of 8:00 PM -116 X


25. End weekday service at 9:00 PM instead of 10:00 PM -238 X X X

Route 53 (Sunnyvale Transit Center – Santa Clara Transit Center)

26. Start weekday service at 6:30 AM instead of 5:30 AM -179 X X X

27. Discontinue Saturday service -498 X X X

1 28. Eliminate deviation to Stevens Creek (stay on Homestead) -1,403 X X

Route 56 (Lockheed Martin – Tamien Station)

1 29. Eliminate deviation to downtown Sunnyvale (stay on Fair Oaks) -2,405 X

30. Start Saturday service at 7:00 AM instead of 6:30 AM -137 X X X X X

31. Start Sunday service at 8:00 AM instead of 7:30 AM -205 X X X X X

Route 57 (Old Ironsides Station – West Valley College)

32. End weekday service at 11:00 PM instead of 12:00 midnight -485 X X X

Route 59 (Valley Fair – Baypointe Station)

33. Start weekday service at 6:00 AM instead of 5:30 AM -540 X X

34. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 60 minutes from 30 -598 X X

35. Start Saturday service at 8:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM -140 X X

36. End Saturday service at 8:00 PM instead of 10:00 PM -189 X X

37. Start Sunday service at 8:00 AM instead of 7:30 AM -139 X X

Route 61 (Sierra & Piedmont – Good Samaritan Hospital)

38. End weekday service at 11:00 PM instead of 12:00 midnight -485 X X X

39. End Saturday service at 10:00 PM instead of 11:00 PM -99 X X X


40. End weekday service at 9:00 PM instead of 10:00 PM -518 X


1 41. Discontinue route -7,017 X X

Route 71 (Milpitas BART – Capitol Station)

42. Start Saturday service at 7:00 AM instead of 6:30 AM -120 X X

Route 72 (Downtown San Jose – Senter & Monterey via McLaughlin)

43. Reduce weekday frequency to every 30 minutes from every 20 between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM -510 X

44. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 30 minutes from every 20 between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM -208 X

45. Reduce Sunday frequency to every 60 minutes from every 30 between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM -122 X

Route 73 (Downtown San Jose – Senter & Monterey via Senter)

46. Reduce weekday frequency to every 30 minutes from every 20 between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM -510 X

47. Reduce Saturday frequency to every 30 minutes from every 20 between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM -208 X

Route 77 (Milpitas BART – Eastridge)

48. End weekday service at 11:00 PM instead of 12:00 midnight -510 X X

49. End Saturday service at 11:00 PM instead of 12:00 midnight -104 X X

50. End Sunday service at 10:00 PM instead of 11:00 PM -116 X X

Route 83 (Ohlone/Chynoweth Station – Almaden & McKean)

1 51. Discontinue route -3,383 X

RA

IL R

EDU

CTI

ON

SB

US

RED

UC

TIO

NS

(continued on next page)

page 1 of 2

10.b

Attachment B(compared to original Next Network plan)

Annual Municipalities Impacted by Change

Change Number and Description Hours Cam Cup Gil LA LAH LG Mil MS MH MV PA SJ SC Sar Sun

Express 101 (Camden & Highway 85 – Stanford Research Park)

1 52. Discontinue route -2,295 X X X X

Express 102 (South San Jose – Stanford Research Park)

1 53. Eliminate 2 of 7 daily trips in each direction -2,242 X X

Express 103 (Eastridge – Stanford Research Park)

1 54. Eliminate 1 of 4 daily trips in each direction -1,075 X X

Express 121 (South County – Lockheed Martin)

1 55. Eliminate 3 of 9 daily trips in each direction -4,178 X X X X

Express 122 (South San Jose – Lockheed Martin)

1 56. Discontinue route -1,020 X X

Express 168 (South County – San Jose Diridon Station)

1 57. Eliminate 2 of 7 daily trips in each direction -2,406 X X X

Express 182 (Palo Alto – IBM/Bailey Ave)

1 58. Discontinue route -897 X X X

Express 185 (South County – Mountain View)

1 59. Discontinue route -5,223 X X X

Route 251 (St. Francis High School – Mountain View Transit Center)

60. Discontinue route -144 X

Route 255 (Fremont High School – Lawrence & Tasman)

61. Discontinue route (regular Route 55 trips would remain) -457 X

Route 266 (Santa Teresa High School – Bernal & Via Serena)

62. Discontinue route -211 X

Various

Miscellaneous minor reductions in trips (not listed individually) -3,369

Rapid 500 (Berryessa BART – Diridon Station)

1 1. Improve weekday frequency to every 7.5 minutes all day (average) from every 10-15 minutes 7,887 X

Route 23 (De Anza College – Alum Rock Station)

1 2. Improve weekday and weekend service frequency between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM 2,312 X X X

Route 26 (West Valley College – Eastridge)

1 3.Improve weekday frequency between Curtner Station and Westgate to every 15 minutes from 30,

extending the all-day Frequent segment of the route west beyond Curtner Station13,552 X X X

1 4. Improve weekend service frequency between Curtner Station and Westgate to every 20 from 30 n/a X X X

Route 68 (San Jose Diridon Station – Gilroy Transit Center)

1 5.Improve weekday midday service frequency between Santa Teresa Station and Gilroy to every 15

minutes from 30, which would make the entire route to Gilroy frequent all day5,614 X X X

Rapid 522 (Palo Alto – Eastridge)

1 6. Improve early morning and evening frequency to every 15 minutes from every 20, daily 4,169 X X X X X X

BU

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page 2 of 2

10.b

2019 New Transit Service Plan

VTA Board Advisory CommitteesFebruary 2019

BPAC Agenda Item 10CAC Agenda Item 11TAC Agenda Item 9PAC Agenda Item 10

Plan Overview + Outreach Update

2016 Next Network development + community engagement

2017 VTA Board adopts final Next Network plan

…waiting for BART service to start new network…

2018 VTA Ad Hoc Financial Stability Committee recommends service change

Dec 2018 VTA Board directs staff to develop new service plan

Jan 2019 VTA Board directs staff to conduct outreach on new plan

January Community engagement

February Community engagement

Background

2

VTA Board Direction for the 2019 New Transit Service Plan

3

Maintain today’s service level (no service increase)

More ridership service & less coverage service

Minimize cuts in South County

1

2

3

4

current service

$360M / yeartotal cost

70/30ridership/coverage

Next Network



Service Plan



Draft 2019New Transit

Two Types of Transit Routes

• Ridership routes: service to areas with higher ridership

• Coverage routes: service to areas with lower ridership

70%RIDERSHIP

30%COVERAGE

VTA SERVICETODAY

Fundamentals of the Next Network service plan

6

Intensive community outreach (10,000+ points of input)

Transit network built on a core Frequent Network of bus + rail routes

More residents and jobs near the Frequent Network

Less service in low ridership areas and more service in high ridership areas

New transit connections to BART

Improved weekend service

All of these Next Network fundamentals still apply to this revised plan

ProposedLight Rail Service

7

Shortened (Baypointe – Santa Teresa)

No change (Old Ironsides – Winchester)

No change (Mountain View – Alum Rock)

Replaced with bus route

Bus Service Improvements (compared to Next Network)

8

Frequent Service to New Areas

26 68

More Frequent Service Between BART and Downtown San Jose

500

More Morning and Evening Trips on Popular Routes

522 23

Bus Service Cuts (compared to Next Network)

9

Discontinue Entire Route

65 83

Fewer Early Morning & Late Evening Trips

Reduce Weekend Service Frequency

27 44

20 21 22

31 40 44 47

52 53 56 57

59 61 63 71

77

27

47 59

72 73Change Route Alignment

53 56

Discontinue some Express Bus Trips

101 122 182 185102 103 121 168

Ridership Impact

7-9%higher ridership

than current service

10

1%lower ridership

than Next Network

COUNTY RESIDENTS

NEAR FREQUENT TRANSIT

More County Residents & Jobs Near Frequent Transit Ridership Increase

11

COUNTY JOBS

NEAR FREQUENT TRANSIT

current42%

NextNetwork

51%proposal

56%

current41%

NextNetwork

57%proposal

59%

Other Impacts to be Analyzed

12

Impact to VTA Access ADA paratransit customers

Service for Title VI low-income and minority riders

both Title VI and paratransit analyses to be conducted in March

Community Engagement

13

6 VTA-hosted community meetings

Presentations at other meetings

YouTube Live online meeting

Flyers on buses + trains

Email blasts, blog posts

newtransitplan.vta.orgcollecting feedback through February 28

January Community engagement

February Community engagement

March Revise plan

April Final plan to VTA committees

May Final plan to VTA Board of Directors

June

July Implementation activities (scheduling, manufacturing signage,

August preparing and printing passenger materials, operator training, etc.)

September

Oct – Dec New service starts when BART service begins

Next

14

15

Engagement Activities So Far

5 of 6 VTA-hosted community meetings

10 of 17 community-hosted meetings

665 email suggestions/questions

86 in-person comments/suggestions

121 written comments submitted

Online virtual meeting (recording available)

vta.org discussion area comments/suggestions

Community Engagement Update

as of February 12

16

Dominant Themes

1. High volume of feedback on proposal’s service cuts

2. Riders like frequency improvements on core Frequent Network

3. Overwhelming majority of feedback concerns a handful of routes:


210

85

77

62

34

197

Express Bus

Almaden Valley

Route 22 Overnight

Light Rail

Route 65

Other

as of February 12

17

Many rider comments about slowdown of

buses + trains over time

VTA’s Fast Transit program


14.1 MPH1988

12.8

MPH2005

12.6 MPH2001

11.6 MPH2016

Average Bus Speed, Systemwide

Extra Slides

18

19

Original Next NetworkLight Rail Plan

66

54

45

33

28 2827

2625 24 23 23 23 22 22 22 21 21 21 21 20 20 19 19 19 18 18 18 18 17 17

16 15 15 15 15 15 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 12 11 1110 10 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6

3

Route-by-Route Productivity (Weekday Boardings per Hour)

20

minimum

productivity

standard

Express routes local routes

Productivity for VTA Express Bus & VTA Local Bus

21

15riders onboard

each bus trip

42%full

(seats occupied)

6.3boardings per

hour

3%farebox

recovery

$33.09cost per boarding

19.2 11% $8.33

Reductions to Coverage-Oriented Service

22

Discontinue all service on 2 Local routes (65,83)

Consolidate/reduce trips on 4 Express Bus routes (102,103,121,168)

Discontinue all service on 4 Express Bus routes (101,122,182,185)

End evening service earlier on 11 routes

Eliminate out-of-direction deviation on 2 routes (53,56)

Discontinue overnight trips from 1:00am – 4:00am (22)

Reduce evening and weekend frequency on 5 routes

Start morning service later on 8 routes

Discontinue 3 school-oriented extra service trips

Reduction inAnnual Hours

10,400

9,900

9,435

4,742

3,808

3,789

3,716

2,387 812

Improvements to Ridership-Oriented Service

23

Expansion of Route 26 frequent segment from Curtner to Westgate

Improved frequency on Rapid 500 Berryessa BART connection

Expansion of Route 68 frequent segment from San Jose to Gilroy

Improved morning and evening frequency on Rapid 522

Improved evening frequency on Route 23

Increase inAnnual Hours

13,552

7,887

5,614

4,169

2,312



Board Meeting: N/A

BOARD MEMORANDUM





SUBJECT: 2016 Measure B Bicycle & Pedestrian Capital Projects Competitive Grants

Program Draft Criteria


BACKGROUND:

On November 8, 2016, the voters of Santa Clara County approved by over a two-thirds margin

Measure B, a 30-year, ½ cent sales tax measure supporting transportation projects and service in

nine program categories. Per 2016 Measure B, the intent of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Program

Category is:

“To fund bicycle and pedestrian projects of countywide significance identified by the cities,

County, and VTA. The program will give priority to those projects that connect to schools,

transit, and employment centers; fill gaps in the existing bike and pedestrian network; safely

cross barriers to mobility; and make walking or biking a safer and more convenient means of

transportation for all county residents and visitors. Bicycle and pedestrian educational

programs, such as Safe Routes to Schools, will be eligible for funding.”

The VTA Board of Directors adopted the 2016 Measure B Bicycle & Pedestrian Program

Category Guidelines at their October 5, 2017, meeting. The guidelines are designed to direct the

implementation of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Category and advise how the program

category funds should be allocated. The VTA Board of Directors-adopted Bicycle & Pedestrian

Program Category established a competitive grant program for bicycle and pedestrian capital

projects. The capital projects competitive grant program was brought to the Bicycle Pedestrian

and Technical Advisory Committees as a 10-year grant program at their June and August 2018

meetings, respectively.

DISCUSSION:

As presented at the June and August 2018 Bicycle Pedestrian (BPAC) and Technical (TAC)

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Advisory Committee meetings, the next step in the development of the 2016 Measure B Bicycle

& Pedestrian Capital Projects Competitive Grant Program is to determine the criteria of the 10-

year competitive grant program. The draft criteria were developed in the spirit of 2016 Measure

B requirements and to address the purpose of the competitive grant program: deliver 2016

Measure B funded bicycle and pedestrian capital projects from development of a 10-yeaer

fiscally-constrained, ranked priority list.

Draft criteria were shared with the TAC’s Capital Improvement Program Working Group

(CIPWG) throughout 2018 and January 2019. Robust discussion occurred at each of the CIPWG

meetings over the summer, and the fruits of those discussions have yielded comprehensive draft

criteria for the grant program. The draft criteria are provided as Attachment A.

Next steps

VTA staff will take into consideration comments shared by BPAC members at their February

2019 meeting. The draft criteria will then be shared for a final time with the CIPWG at their

February 2019 meeting. The final criteria are scheduled to be taken to the appropriate

committees for approval in March 2019 with the Board of Directors taking action at their April

2019 meeting. A call for projects for the 2016 Measure B Bicycle & Pedestrian Capital Projects

Competitive Grant Program in anticipated for summer 2019.

Prepared By: Jane Shinn

Memo No. 6692

11

of 5

2016 Measure B Bike/Ped Capital Projects Competitive Grant Criteria

DRAFT – 02.01.19

Screening Criteria

• 2016 Measure B Eligible: identify source

• Complete Streets Reporting Requirement Attached

• Grant request ≥ $50,000

Criteria Max Points

1. Connections to/serves schools, transit or employment centers

20

2. Gap Closure/Crosses Barriers 20

3. Safety 20

4. Convenience/Comfort 20

5. Project Readiness/Project Delivery 10

6. Non-2016 Measure B Contribution 10

Bonus – Community Support 5

Bonus – Targets Populations with Specific Needs

5

Bonus – High-quality design/improvements 5

TOTAL 115

Criteria #1 – Connections to/serves schools, transit, or employment centers

Does the project provide new connections to schools, transit or employment centers within required

biking or walking distance?

Points awarded if:

• Bicycles: Any point of project is within 1 ½ miles actual biking distance

• Pedestrians: Any point of project is within ½ mile actual walk distance

Point Distribution:

• Can receive a maximum of 20 points

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o If the project scores in the HIGH category for all three elements, 20 points can be

received.

Points

Schools (K-12) Combined Enrollment

# of Jobs (w/n actual bike/ped distance)

Transit (Frequency of Service)

High 15 - 20

> 1501 Under development Connects to >1 Frequent transit route or regional rail service

Med 8 - 14

301 ≤ 1500 Under development Connects to 1 Frequent transit route or regional rail service

Low 1 - 7

≤ 300 Under development Connects to local transit service

Other:

• Include map identifying project and biking or walking distance and corresponding element/s

• School is K-12; Colleges & universities can be captured in the ‘# of Jobs’ element

• Employment center is defined by number of jobs

• Transit is defined as: ‘Transportation by a conveyance that provides regular and continuing

general or special transportation to the public, but does not include school bus, charter, or

sightseeing transportation.’

o FTA: https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/region-9/there-fta-dictionary

• Frequent transit route as defined by VTA:

o 15 minute or better frequency from 6:30a to 6:30p, M through F

• Local transit route as defined by VTA

o All non-frequent routes

• Regional rail service is defined as:

o Caltrain

o ACE

o Capital Corridor

o BART

Criteria #2 – Gap Closure/Crosses Barriers

Does the project provide for a continuous bicycle or pedestrian travel-way where there was

previously none?

Points awarded if:

• Project builds new bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure where there is currently no

infrastructure;

o e.g. Closes gaps in sidewalk; completes trail segments; constructs new bike/ped bridge

or undercrossing; provides dedicated space for bicyclist on roadway where there is

currently shoulder less than 4 feet.

• OR - Project builds a new bicycle or pedestrian connection across a major barrier (waterway,

railway, freeway, expressway).

o Facilities provided must be dedicated

▪ e.g. Class I, II, or IV bikeways; sidewalk

11.a

https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/region-9/there-fta-dictionary

of 5

Point Distribution:


o High: 9-13pts

▪ 75% or more of the project cost is for gap closure

o Med: 4-8pts

▪ 25% - 74% of the project cost is for gap closure

o Low: 1-3pts

▪ Less than 25% of the project cost is for gap closure

o 5 pts: Project builds a new bicycle or pedestrian connection across a major barrier

o 2 pts: Project is identified as an ABC in Appendix 6.1 of the 2018 Countywide Bicycle

Plan

Other:

• Include map identifying gap closure/s and/or major barrier crossing

Criteria #3 – Safety

Does the project make bicycling or walking safer?

Definition of Safety: Potential for reducing the number and/or rate or the risk of pedestrian and bicyclist

fatalities and injuries, including the identification of safety hazards for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Points awarded if:

• Project demonstrates improved safety for bicyclists and/or pedestrians

Point Distribution:


• High: 15-20pts

o Project will address a demonstrated safety issue using proven/demonstrated

countermeasure

• Med: 8-14pts

o Project will improve a situation with safety issues

• Low: 1-7pts

o Project will generally improve safety issues; Has potential to reduce exposure/risk of

conflicts between motor-vehicles and bikes/peds

Other:

• Project sponsor to provide narrative describing safety issue/s that project will address

Criteria #4 – Convenience/Comfort

Does the project make bicycling or walking more convenient or comfortable?

Points awarded if:

11.a

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• Project provides a shorter route, reduces pedestrian or bicyclist delay, and/or upgrades existing

bike/ped infrastructure to lower-stress infrastructure

Point Distribution:


o High: 15-20pts

▪ Project significantly reduces delay, provides a shorter route, and/or decreases

current level of traffic stress by two or more factors

o Med: 8-14pts

▪ Project moderately reduces delay, provides a moderately shorter route, and/or

decreases current level of traffic stress by less than two factors

o Low: 1-7pts

▪ Project provides minimal reductions in delay, minimally shorter route, and/or

does not change current level of traffic stress.

Other

• A level of traffic stress analysis is not required. However a project that provides the analysis to

substantiate reductions in traffic stress may receive the maximum points versus those projects

that do not.

• Tools/methods to measure level of traffic stress will be included on the application.

• Though this criteria overlaps some with criteria #2, Gap Closure/Crosses Barrier, criteria #2 is

specific to new facilities/infrastructure where none exist. It is possible for a project to receive

points for both criteria #2 and criteria #4.

Criteria #5 – Project Readiness/Project Delivery

How close is the project to being delivered?

Points awarded if:

• Project has any of the following phases completed.

• Points are additive.

Point Distribution:


Categorical Exclusion or Categorical Exemption

Points Not CE Points

Design Complete 5 ENV Complete 4

ROW Complete 5 Design Complete 3

ROW Complete 3

Criteria #6 – Non-2016 Measure B Contribution

How much non-2016 Measure B Contribution is the Project Sponsor providing?

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of 5

Points awarded if:

• The project sponsor pledges/provides more than the required 10% non-2016 Measure B

contribution

Point Distribution:

• 10pts: Provides ≥ 21% non-2016 Measure B contribution

• 8pts: Provides 19% - 20% non-2016 Measure B contribution




• 0pts: Provides the minimum 10% non-2016 Measure B contribution

Other:

• If the project sponsor states that they will provide a higher percentage of matching funds, they

will be required to provide the matching percentage.

• If project costs increase and anticipated to be over budget, 2016 Measure B funds will not be

increased. Project sponsor is responsible for cost overruns.

• If the project is anticipated to be delivered under budget, 2016 Measure B funds will be reduced

in proportion to project sponsor’s contribution

Bonus Points

Points awarded if:

• Community Support – 5pts

o Project is included in an adopted local Bicycle/Pedestrian plan, Vision Zero plan, SRTS

plan, etc. – Source must be identified

OR

o Project is developed through a collaborative planning process that included broad

partnerships among a variety of stakeholders (e.g. documents community

input/outreach including local BPAC)

• Targets Population with Specific Needs – 5pts

o 50% or more of the project limits is located within reasonable proximity to, or have a

direct connection to a Community of Concern (as defined by MTC.);

▪ Map identifying the project and relationship to the COC required

▪ The project sponsor must articulate the benefit of the project to the COC

▪ MTC definition/map of Communities of Concern:

https://mtc.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=1501fe1552414d569ca747e0

e23628ff

• Utilizes High-quality Design/Improvements – 5pts

o Includes, but not limited to:

▪ Art-related place

▪ Project context/Seamless integration

▪ Sustainable materials

11.a

https://mtc.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=1501fe1552414d569ca747e0e23628ff

https://mtc.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=1501fe1552414d569ca747e0e23628ff

Date: January 31, 2019


Board Meeting: N/A

BOARD MEMORANDUM





SUBJECT: Draft Countywide Pedestrian and Bicycle Education and Encouragement

Program


BACKGROUND:

In November 2016, Santa Clara County voters passed 2016 Measure B, a half-cent sales tax that

funds transportation projects in nine program areas. Included in the sales tax is an estimated $250

million for Bicycle and Pedestrian projects. Up to fifteen percent of this $250 million ($37.5

million) can be used for education and encouragement activities that promote safe walking and

bicycling. Per the 2016 Measure B Guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors, the Santa Clara

Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will allocate the education and encouragement funds as

follows:

• $250,000 annually to fund countywide education and encouragement programs

• Remaining funds allocated annually by city population formula with a $10,000 annual

minimum allocation per city

DISCUSSION:

Currently, VTA and the County Department of Public Health collaborate to provide countywide

education and encouragement programs. These programs include staffing Safe Routes to Schools

Providers Network quarterly meetings, updating and publishing a countywide bicycle map, and

funding Bike to Work activities in the county. VTA is seeking input from committees to

determine how these efforts can be expanded through the additional funding provided by 2016

Measure B.

A draft five-year list of countywide education and encouragement activities are detailed in

Attachment A and listed below. These activities are designed to complement cities’ existing

programs. As such, countywide education and encouragement activities focus on coordination

12

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between agencies, developing resources that can be used by multiple agencies, and encouraging

new policies that support increased physical activity and safe walking and biking.

Countywide Education/Encouragement Activities: Five-Year Program

• Support Local Safe Routes to Schools Programs through Information Sharing and

Collaboration

• Develop Shared Safe Routes to School Media and Communication Collateral

• Develop Countywide Safety Messaging for Drivers, Pedestrians, and Bicyclists

• Fund Adult Bicycle Education Courses

• Update and Maintain Countywide Bicycle Map

• Provide Education and Technical Assistance for Member Agency Staff on Effective

Education and Encouragement Programs

• Award Micro-Grants to Support Community-Led Education and Encouragement Activities

• Fund Countywide Bike to Work Day Activities

• Pilot New Education and Encouragement Programs

NEXT STEPS:

After receiving comments from committees, VTA will consider modifications to the draft

program. The program will be implemented pending the outcome of the 2016 Measure B

litigation.

Prepared By: Lauren Ledbetter

Memo No. 6849

12

Attachment A: Draft Countywide Education and Encouragement Programs Five-Year List of Activities

January 15, 2019

1

Activity Lead Agency Description Evaluation Metrics (Proposed)

Support local Safe

Routes to School (SRTS)

programs

County Public

Health

Department

(PHD)

Staff & manage quarterly SRTS

Providers Group meetings

Technical assistance for data

collection & reporting

Technical assistance and outreach to

cities, County Office of Education,

and school districts regarding benefits

and tools for effective SRTS

programs

Technical assistance to city/school

staff on SRTS implementation

Training/shadowing opportunities for

local SRTS coordinators, especially

new hires

Countywide SRTS Conference

Number of participating local

agencies

Amount of ad hoc assistance

provided

Number of SRTS coordinators

trained

Number of people participating in

countywide conference

Develop and distribute

shared SRTS media and

communication

PHD Educational materials and flyers to

support promotional events such as

Walk to School Day and traffic safety

topics, as needed.

Monthly newsletter topics and

activities

Number of schools that use materials

Number of students/families that see

materials

Number of students who participate

in events advertised by media

12.a


January 15, 2019

2


Countywide safety

messaging for motorists,

bicyclists, and

pedestrians

VTA/PHD Countywide analysis of contributing

factors and risk factors of bike/ped

crashes, building on PHD walking

and biking data analyses

Identify target audience, preferred

methods of communication

Develop and test messaging

Roll out media campaign

Build on lessons learned &

experience from PHD's "We Choose"

campaign

Public perception of bicyclists,

pedestrians and drivers

Reach of campaign

Adult bicycle education

courses

VTA Deliver ongoing in-classroom & on-

bike adult bike education classes

Schedule certification courses for

bicycle instructors as needed

Maintain relationships with

instructors and track their training

efforts.

Find locations that can be used for

adult bike education classes

Number of people who take classes

Number of classes

Geographic distribution of classes

Quality of courses/participant

satisfaction

Demographics of participants

Updated Countywide

Bicycle Map

VTA Update and print Countywide Bicycle

Map every 3 to 4 years

2016 map comprised of 50,000

printed English copies and 10,000

printed Spanish copies

Number of maps distributed

Number of hits to online map

12.a


January 15, 2019

3


Education for Member

Agency staff on effective

education &

encouragement

programs

VTA Research and provide training for

local city staff

Develop menu of potential activities,

with costs, effectiveness, and

potential measures of success

Organize webinar, brochure, and

technical assistance/training

Number of city staff trained

Participating jurisdictions

Quality of training/satisfaction of

participants

Use of training on the job

Micro-grants to support

community-led

education &

encouragement activities

VTA Provide grants to individuals or

organizations to run local activities

that support biking and walking.

Sample activities include themed bike

rides, educational walks, mini open

street events, and school-based events

Grants will be between $250 to

$2,000

Number and amount of grants

Demographics of recipients

Types of activities

Location of activity

Number participating in activity

Countywide Bike to

Work Day

VTA Continued support for Bike to Work

Day in Santa Clara County

Number of bicyclists counted at

Energizer Stations

Demonstration or pilot

projects that can be

scaled

PHD/VTA To be determined To be determined

12.a

BPAC Work Plan

February - August 2019

Doc ID Origin Short Title

BP

AC

2/1

3

BO

D

2/2

2

BO

D

3/7

BP

AC

3/1

3

BO

D

4/4

BP

AC

4/1

0

BO

D

4/1

9

BO

D

5/2

BP

AC

5/8

BO

D

6/6

6841 Dept - Transportation Planning / Jim Unites Transit Speed Policy A A

6756 Board of Directors / Tracene Crenshaw BPAC Election Process for 2019 Committee Leadership: Conduct Elections A

6692 Division - Planning and Programming / Jane Shinn 2016 MB Bike/Ped Capital Projects Competitive Grants Program Draft Criteria Discussion

6849 Dept - Transportation Planning / Chris Augenstein Countywide Ped-Bike Education and Encouragement Program Discussion

6878 Division - Planning and Programming / Adam Burger Proposal for 2019 New Transit Service Plan I

6848 Dept - Transportation Planning / Chris Augenstein Bicycle Expenditure Program Semi-Annual Update I I

6868 Dept - Programming and Grants Management / Marcella Rensi 2019/20 TFCA Program Manager Fund A A

6869 Dept - Programming and Grants Management / Marcella Rensi FY2019/20 TDA3 Project Priorities A A

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BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA...

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