Forest Park Advisory Board March 15, 2012 Step 3 Presentation.

Forest Park Advisory Board

March 15, 2012

Step 3 Presentation

Trolleys have played a key role in the development of the St. Louis region since they were first used on Olive Street in 1859. From 1888 until 1966, electric trolleys crisscrossed the streets of St. Louis.

At the turn of the last century, streetcar lines were extended to the western edge of St. Louis to transport fair goers to the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Forest Park.

Trolleys have played a key role in the development of the St. Louis region since they were first used on Olive Street in 1859. From 1888 until 1966, electric trolleys crisscrossed the streets of St. Louis.

At the turn of the last century, streetcar lines were extended to the western edge of St. Louis to transport fair goers to the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in Forest Park.

The Loop TrolleyThe Loop Trolley

Bringing the streetcar back to St. LouisConnecting two existing light-rail transit stops, Forest Park, the Missouri History Museum and the Delmar Loop

Providing a greenhouse gas-minimizing alternative for travel

Encouraging urban infill and transit-oriented development along the route

Alleviating car congestion along the route and in Forest Park

Providing an unparalleled opportunity to create a 21st century “smart city” zone along the route

Bringing the streetcar back to St. LouisConnecting two existing light-rail transit stops, Forest Park, the Missouri History Museum and the Delmar Loop

Providing a greenhouse gas-minimizing alternative for travel

Encouraging urban infill and transit-oriented development along the route

Alleviating car congestion along the route and in Forest Park

Providing an unparalleled opportunity to create a 21st century “smart city” zone along the route

The Loop TrolleyThe Loop Trolley

• 2.2 mile fixed-rail trolley line

• A unique collaboration

• Historic in appearance, the new trolleys will be heated, air conditioned and accessible

• Project includes rehabilitation of a historic building as a vehicle maintenance and storage facility and rehabilitation of the DeBaliviere bridge

• Safety and environmental issues paramount

• 2.2 mile fixed-rail trolley line

• A unique collaboration

• Historic in appearance, the new trolleys will be heated, air conditioned and accessible

• Project includes rehabilitation of a historic building as a vehicle maintenance and storage facility and rehabilitation of the DeBaliviere bridge

• Safety and environmental issues paramount

Overview of TrolleyOverview of Trolley

Loop Trolley RouteLoop Trolley Route

East Loop

DeB

alivie

re

History Museum

Loop Trolley RouteLoop Trolley Route

East Loop

DeB

alivie

re

History Museum

12% to 15% of the Loop Trolley Route is in Forest Park

The Trolley is Consistent with the Forest Park

Master Plan

The Trolley is Consistent with the Forest Park

Master Plan

Maximum use of mass transit should be encouraged as an alternative means of travel to and within the park to reduce automobile dependence, traffic volumes and to improve air quality. (FPMP, p. 332)

Create regional, City and neighborhood linkages for all modes of circulation. (FPMP, p. 344)

Cooperate with future transit planners to develop a park shuttle service, possibly with steel or rubber tires. (FPMP, p. 344)

Possible long-term transit option is a fixed rail circulator, to be determined via future planning efforts. (FPMP, p. 346)

Link Forest Park with regional parks and ecological features via Metrolink, especially with proposed system expansion, creating a “green train system.” (FPMP, p. 355)

Maximum use of mass transit should be encouraged as an alternative means of travel to and within the park to reduce automobile dependence, traffic volumes and to improve air quality. (FPMP, p. 332)

Create regional, City and neighborhood linkages for all modes of circulation. (FPMP, p. 344)

Cooperate with future transit planners to develop a park shuttle service, possibly with steel or rubber tires. (FPMP, p. 344)

Possible long-term transit option is a fixed rail circulator, to be determined via future planning efforts. (FPMP, p. 346)

Link Forest Park with regional parks and ecological features via Metrolink, especially with proposed system expansion, creating a “green train system.” (FPMP, p. 355)

Unique Public/Private Collaboration

Unique Public/Private Collaboration

The Loop Trolley Company is managing the design grant with the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and will manage the operations of the Loop Trolley.

The Loop Trolley is Collaborating with Great

Rivers Greenway

The Loop Trolley is Collaborating with Great

Rivers Greenway

Great Rivers Greenway is currently working to connect the St. Louis Region via a series of greenways. The St. Vincent Greenway is a key north-south greenway that will connect Forest Park with the University of Missouri St. Louis Campus and North Park along Interstate 270.

The Loop Trolley is collaborating with Great Rivers Greenway on the alignment and design of the DeBaliviere section between Forest Park and Delmar.

Great Rivers Greenway has a vision for connecting the St. Vincent’s Greenway with the Forest Park trails in the future. At this time, the connection between the two trail systems will be the existing sidewalk south of the Parkway. There will be no Greenway construction south of Forest Park Parkway as part of the Loop Trolley Project.

Planning Process within the Park


Overview of Actions to Date

Forest Park Advisory Board (FPAB) voted that the Loop Trolley was not a change to the Masterplan and authorized letter to Federal Transit Administration supporting the project (January 2010)

Loop Trolley awarded $24.9 million Urban Circulator Grant (July 2010)

Meetings with Forest Park Steering Committee on updated Loop Trolley project (January-March 2012)

Review by FPAB and determination that amended Loop Trolley project was not a change to the Masterplan (Feb. 2012)

Overview of Actions to Date

Forest Park Advisory Board (FPAB) voted that the Loop Trolley was not a change to the Masterplan and authorized letter to Federal Transit Administration supporting the project (January 2010)

Loop Trolley awarded $24.9 million Urban Circulator Grant (July 2010)

Meetings with Forest Park Steering Committee on updated Loop Trolley project (January-March 2012)

Review by FPAB and determination that amended Loop Trolley project was not a change to the Masterplan (Feb. 2012)



Preliminary Review Schedule

March 2012 FPAB Step 3 Review

June or July 2012 FPAB Step 6 Review

Sept or Oct 2012 FPAB Step 9 Review

December 2012 Anticipation start of construction

Summer 2014 Anticipated start of operations

Preliminary Review Schedule

March 2012 FPAB Step 3 Review

June or July 2012 FPAB Step 6 Review

Sept or Oct 2012 FPAB Step 9 Review

December 2012 Anticipation start of construction

Summer 2014 Anticipated start of operations

Sources of Capital Funding

Sources of Capital Funding

Project Implementation Budget is $40 to $43 M

$24.9 M from Federal Urban Circulator Grant

$5.8 M from Regional Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Funds

$.02 M Local Match (Great Rivers Greenway)

$3.5 M from Tax Increment Financing Monetization

$3.5 M from New Market Tax Credits

$2 to $5 M in Private Donations

Project Implementation Budget is $40 to $43 M

$24.9 M from Federal Urban Circulator Grant

$5.8 M from Regional Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Funds

$.02 M Local Match (Great Rivers Greenway)

$3.5 M from Tax Increment Financing Monetization

$3.5 M from New Market Tax Credits

$2 to $5 M in Private Donations

Operational CostsOperational Costs

Operations Budget is $1.3 Million per year

$600,000 estimated in Fare Revenue

$500,000 from Loop Trolley Transportation Development District (TDD) Revenues (this revenue from a one cent sales tax along the route is expected to increase with the growth of economic development along the route.)

$150,000 in advertising revenue and sponsorships

$50,000 in institutional subsidies

Operations Budget is $1.3 Million per year

$600,000 estimated in Fare Revenue

$500,000 from Loop Trolley Transportation Development District (TDD) Revenues (this revenue from a one cent sales tax along the route is expected to increase with the growth of economic development along the route.)

$150,000 in advertising revenue and sponsorships

$50,000 in institutional subsidies

Loop Trolley TDDLoop Trolley TDD

Formed as a political subdivision in July 2008 under Chapter 238 RsMo.

District is defined by a designated development boundary

Funded by a 1% sales tax on all taxable sales within the District

Projected Trolley Service

Projected Trolley Service

• It is anticipated that the Loop Trolley will operate 7 days a week, 360 days a year

• Estimated hours of operation will be 11 am to 6 pm, Sunday to Thursday, and 11 am to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

• It is projected that Fares will be similar to Metro with discounts for seniors, students and low-income riders

• It is anticipated that the Loop Trolley will operate 7 days a week, 360 days a year

• Estimated hours of operation will be 11 am to 6 pm, Sunday to Thursday, and 11 am to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

• It is projected that Fares will be similar to Metro with discounts for seniors, students and low-income riders

Project ManagementProject Management

Design

East-West Gateway Council of Governments is the recipient of $2.88 M from the Urban Circulator grant to complete the design and has selected the Loop Trolley Company to oversee the project during this phase.

Construction

The Loop Trolley Company expects that it will be the manager and operator of both the construction phase and the operation of the Trolley. The current plan is to apply for the remainder of the Urban Circulator grant in May of 2012.

Design

East-West Gateway Council of Governments is the recipient of $2.88 M from the Urban Circulator grant to complete the design and has selected the Loop Trolley Company to oversee the project during this phase.

Construction

The Loop Trolley Company expects that it will be the manager and operator of both the construction phase and the operation of the Trolley. The current plan is to apply for the remainder of the Urban Circulator grant in May of 2012.

Conceptual Image of Trolley within Forest Park


Forest Park Advisory Board

March 15, 2012

Step 3 Presentation

Overhead Contact SystemSelected to Power Loop

Trolley System


Trolley System

The Hybrid street car originally discussed presents risks to the operations that could jeopardize service.

There are no hybrid heritage streetcars currently operating in regular transit service in mixed traffic

Hybrid streetcars stopped due to congestion or an accident could run out of power

Hybrid streetcars would be vulnerable to outages during Forest Park special events when ridership spikes and congestion occurs

The untested hybrid streetcars are three times the cost of the heritage streetcars

The Hybrid street car originally discussed presents risks to the operations that could jeopardize service.

There are no hybrid heritage streetcars currently operating in regular transit service in mixed traffic

Hybrid streetcars stopped due to congestion or an accident could run out of power

Hybrid streetcars would be vulnerable to outages during Forest Park special events when ridership spikes and congestion occurs

The untested hybrid streetcars are three times the cost of the heritage streetcars


Trolley System


Trolley System

The Direct Suspension Overhead Contact System is different from the overhead catenary system that powers Metrolink and is significantly less obtrusive.

Because it is operating at relatively low speeds, the Trolley doesn‘t need as much power and can operate on a single wire connected to either poles or buildings

Unlike the hybrid system, there are many models worldwide and in the U.S. that have been proven to work under conditions similar to ours in St. Louis

The Design Team is exploring visual reduction methods to minimize visual impact

The Direct Suspension Overhead Contact System is different from the overhead catenary system that powers Metrolink and is significantly less obtrusive.

Because it is operating at relatively low speeds, the Trolley doesn‘t need as much power and can operate on a single wire connected to either poles or buildings

Unlike the hybrid system, there are many models worldwide and in the U.S. that have been proven to work under conditions similar to ours in St. Louis

The Design Team is exploring visual reduction methods to minimize visual impact

Overhead Wires- Examples from

Other Cities


Other Cities

Memphis


Other Cities


Other Cities

MemphisSan Francisco


Other Cities


Other Cities

A circular set of tracks in Kenosha, Wisconsin is similar in diameter to what is envisioned for Forest Park.

Poles are spaced about 90 feet apart.



Concrete



Asphalt



Replacement poles could serve both lighting and rail needs.

•The top of the proposed poles would be approximately 23 ft. high.

•The wire would be 18 ft. high.

•Lights would be 15 ft. high (2 ft. lower than current granitoid fixtures).

•It is anticipated that 4 or 5 additional poles would be needed. In general, the poles are spaced about 90 ft. apart.

Safety Measures are Incorporated into Design

Safety Measures are Incorporated into Design

The Design Calls for the Rail and the Pavement to be FlushThe gap between the rail and the pavement is narrow (less than 2 inches) so when crossing at a right angle, there is no safety hazard for wheels.

Clear and obvious signs on the route and at all crossings will explain that right angle crossing is the safest way to cross.

Crosswalks painted on the pavement will be obvious, and signs will direct people to the crosswalks.

The Loop Trolley Company will work with community and special interest groups to educate users to safe practices.

The Design Team will explore the possibility of a “filler” to reduce the width of the gap.

Estimated CapacityEstimated Capacity

The Capacity of Ridership is Scalable Based on DemandEach trolley can carry 80 passengers.

If single cars are operating with 20 minute headways, the system can move 240 people per hour.

During peak periods, adding an additional car to operate in tandem will double capacity to 480 people per hour.

Headways can also be reduced during peak periods. Reducing headways to 10 minutes and using two cars in tandem, the system can move 960 people per hour.

Station StopsStation Stops

Station stops will be at curb height (no platforms) and will blend with the existing pedestrian areaAll station stops will be accessible and ADA compliant.

The overall treatment for station stops is minimalist.

It is anticipated that the Forest Park stop south of the History Museum will include signage and a bench.

Ticket kiosks will not be located in Forest Park.

TicketingTicketing

Final Decisions on How and Where Passengers will Purchase Tickets Have Not Yet Been Made.Options include making tickets available in stores, businesses and other locations along or near the route (including the History Museum and the Visitor Center)

Passengers could also purchase tickets on board

The Loop Trolley Company is considering annual passes for unlimited rides

Design work is proceeding for the area in Forest Park

Design work is proceeding for the area in Forest Park

Forest Park Advisory Board March 15, 2012 Step 3 Presentation.

Documents

Transcript of Forest Park Advisory Board March 15, 2012 Step 3 Presentation.