Spring 2015 www.i26ALT.org

I-26 Fixed Guideway Alternatives Analysis Project

Update

Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) Policy Committee Meeting

Monday, November 16, 2015 @ 10:00 AM

November 2015 CHATS Update

www.i26ALT.org

Agenda Project Update

Screen Two Alternatives Analysis

FTA Project Readiness

Next Steps

CHATS Update November 2015

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Project Partners

CHATS Update November 2015

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Project Overview: Purpose & Goals

CHATS Update

The purpose of the I-26 Alternatives Analysis is to improve transit service and enhance regional mobility along the 22-mile I-26 Corridor connecting Summerville, North Charleston, and Charleston.

Goal 1: Improve Mobility, Safety, Accessibility and Connectivity of the Transit System and Region Goal 2: Provide a Cost Effective and Financially Feasible Transit Alternative Goal 3: Support Local Land Use Objectives Goal 4: Plan for Projected Growth in an Environmentally Sustainable Manner Goal 5: Respond to Community Needs and Support Goal 6: Support a Diverse Regional Economy

November 2015

www.i26ALT.org

Study Process: Pre-Project Development

CHATS Update

Comprehensive Operational Analysis In Depth Analysis of Current Transit Network over Next 20 Years

Locally Preferred

Alternative +

20-Year Transit Plan

for I-26 Corridor

Federal Transit Administration

Capital Investment Program

(Federal Process) 6-10 – Years

(Typical)

Fixed Guideway Alternatives Analysis of I-26 Corridor Alternatives Analysis for I-26 Corridor for Commuter Bus or Fixed

Guideway Transit (BRT, LRT, Commuter Rail, etc.)

Pre-Project Development (Local Planning Process) October 2014 – December 2015

Public Involvement Surveys, Public Outreach, Public Meetings, Project Website,

Quarterly Newsletter, Facebook & Twitter

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Coordination Following Guidelines for Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grant

Program

November 2015

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Project Update: Pre-Screen Alternatives (October 2014 – March 2015)

CHATS Update November 2015

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Project Update: Screen One Alternatives Analysis (April - August 2015)

CHATS Update November 2015

Bus Rapid Transit • System of buses that operate like a

conventional rail in reserved guideways or mixed traffic.

Light Rail Transit • Short passenger rail cars on fixed rails in right-

of-way that is separated from other traffic or mixed with traffic, powered electrically from an overhead electric line.

Hybrid Rail • Urban passenger train service operated as light

rail or commuter rail service using electric or diesel self-propelled passenger cars. (EMU/DMU)

Commuter Rail • Urban passenger train service consisting of

local, short distance travel between a central city and adjacent suburbs using electric or diesel locomotive hauled passenger cars.

www.i26ALT.org

Screen Two Alternatives Analysis (Underway)

CHATS Update

Alternatives Recommended to Move Forward to Screen Two Alternative A: No Build – Commuter Bus on I-26 Alternative B-1/B-2: US 78/US 52/Meeting– BRTLRT Alternative B-3/B-4: US 78/US 52/East Bay –

BRT/LRT Alternative C-1/C-2: US 176/US 52/Meeting –

BRT/LRT Alternative C-3/C-4: US 176/US 52/East Bay –

BRT/LRT Alternative D-1/D-2: Dorchester Rd/US 52/Meeting –

BRT/LRT Alternative D-3/D-4: Dorchester Rd /US 52/East Bay –

BRT/LRT

November 2015

www.i26ALT.org

Screen Two Alternatives Analysis

CHATS Update

Refining the Alternatives Ridership Forecasting

Using FTA’s Simplified Simplified-Trips-on-Projects Software (STOPS)

Guideway Analysis Mixed Traffic versus Dedicated Guideway Center Median or Side Lanes Neck Area Constraints – King, Meeting,

Other ROW Peak Hour Bus Lanes to MUSC

Station Location Analysis Downtown Summerville or Azalea Square North Charleston Transit Hub DT Charleston Transit Hub

November 2015

Healthline BRT Cleveland, OH

METRO LRT, Phoenix, AZ

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Screen Two Alternatives Analysis

CHATS Update

Refining the Alternatives Short-Term Phasing Options

Identify 1st Phase – Core “Trunkline” for Fully Dedicated Fixed Guideway

“Transitway” enhancements Peak Hour Bus Lanes Limited Stop Service Transit Signal Priority & Technology to

improve Transit Travel Time Bus on Shoulder Lanes

Capital and Operating Cost Estimates Develop Transit Feeder Service

November 2015

www.i26ALT.org

Screen Two Funding & Project Readiness FTA Capital Investment Grant Program

New Starts Small Starts

CHATS Update

Total Project Cost: Greater than $250M

CIG Program Funds: Greater than $75M

3 Phase Process Project Development Engineering Construction

New Fixed guideway BRT in separated ROW

Total Project Capital Cost: $250M or Less

CIG Program Funds: $75M or Less

2-Phase Process Project Development Construction

Simplified financial evaluation

New fixed guideway Corridor Based BRT (Not

separated ROW) November 2015

www.i26ALT.org

Screen Two Funding & Project Readiness FTA Capital Investment Grant Process

CHATS Update

1. Project Development Complete NEPA and related environmental laws Select Locally Preferred Alternative Adopt LPA in Fiscally Constrained LRTP Obtain Medium Project Rating under Project Justification Evaluation Obtain commitment of 30% of matching funds* Complete 30% design and engineering Must complete these steps within 2-years

2. Engineering Commitment of 50% of matching funds Significant progress with engineering within 3-Years

3. Recommendation for Construction Grant Agreement Evaluation Rating Availability of CIG program funds Project readiness

November 2015

* Small Starts have 3-Years in Project Development to gain 50% of funding commitment, there is no “Engineering” phase.

www.i26ALT.org

Screen Two Funding & Project Readiness FTA CIG Project Justification Criteria

CHATS Update

Screening Criteria Based on FTA Project Justification Criteria (50%)

Local Financial Commitment during Project Development (50%) Reasonableness of assumptions (50%) Commitment of Capital and Operating Funds (25%) Current Transit Capital and Operating Conditions (25%)

Average Fleet Age (Under 8 Years for Medium Rating) Bond Ratings over last 2 Years/Current Ratio (Assets to Liabilities) Recent Service History for Medium Ranking Historical Positive Cash Flow/No Cash Flow Shortfalls Only Minor Service Adjustments in Recent Years

November 2015

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Next Steps Screen Two Alternatives Analysis using Funding & Project Readiness

Criteria: September- November 2015 Select Locally Preferred Alternative: December 2015

Technical Advisory Committee/Steering Committee Meeting Complete CARTA Comprehensive Operational Analysis: December 2015 Final Project Plan: January 2016 Upcoming Meetings

Stakeholder Meetings: Ongoing Technical Advisory/Steering Committee Meeting: Mid-December 2015 Public Meetings: January 2016

CHATS Update

November 2015

Spring 2015 www.i26ALT.org

J in the Conversation!

Visit us on the web: www.i26ALT.org Email us: info@i26ALT.org

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

i26alt.mindmixer.com

CHATS Update November 2015

Spring 2015 www.i26ALT.org

CARTA Comprehensive Operational Analysis Update

Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) Policy Committee Meeting

Monday, November 16, 2015 @ 10:00 AM

November 2015 CHATS Update

www.i26ALT.org

CARTA Comprehensive Operational Analysis

CHATS Update

System and route evaluation to develop short and mid-range transit service recommendations.

CARTA Transit System 16 Fixed Routes & Neighborhood

Circulators 4 Express Routes to North

Charleston, Summerville, West Ashley, Mt. Pleasant, & James Island

3 Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) Trolley Routes

Operates 62 vehicles during peak service

November 2015

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CARTA Comprehensive Operational Analysis

CHATS Update November 2015

CARTA fixed route service caries

appx. 16,000 customers per day In 2014, CARTA reached 5 million

riders 52% of all trips occur on one of 4

routes: Route 10 Rivers Ave. (24%) Route 211 Meeting/King Trolley

(12%) Route 12 Upper Dorchester (8%) Route 11 Airport/Dorchester (8%)

Most Active Stops: North Charleston SuperStop (Rivers

& Cosgrove) Mary Street Parking Garage

(Meeting & Mary)

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CARTA System Analysis: Ridership Characteristics

CHATS Update

Transit Dependent Ridership 54% Female 65% Black/African American 58% annual income $30,000 or

less 48% under Age 35 75% did not have a car

available for their trip 42% travel between home and

work 50% pay cash fare

November 2015

Service Area Households with No Vehicle

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CARTA System Analysis: Transit Supportive Areas within ¼ Mile of CARTA Route

CHATS Update

2013 Population Served by CARTA ¾ Mile CARTA Service Area:

236,649 2013 Urbanized Area: 567,077

(41.7%) Transit Supportive Areas

3 Households and/or 4 Jobs per Acre

November 2015

Land Area (Acres)

% of Area

ServedHouseholds Jobs

Tri-County Region 1,361,976 249,569 307,809CARTA Service Coverage Area

(1/4 Mile Walk Radius)31,468 2% 51,360 125,030

Total Tri-County AreaTransit Supportive Area

19,243 1.4% 38,162 142,835

Transit Supportive Area Served by CARTA

(1/4 Mile Walk Radius)11,370 59% 27,622 98,367

Transit Supportive Area Served by CARTA

(1/4 Mile Walk Radius)

2010

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CARTA Short Range Plan Strategy How can CARTA optimize the current system to focus existing resources on improving service to current transit markets and set aside revenues for future vehicle and technology investment?

CHATS Update

Short-Range Challenges & Opportunities Average vehicle fleet age is 13 Years Increased traffic congestion =

longer headways and travel times inconvenient transfer times poor on-time performance

Ridership is flat Limited Capacity at Major Transfer

Hubs: North Charleston SuperStop & Mary Street Parking Garage November 2015

www.i26ALT.org

CARTA Mid-Range Plan Strategy

CHATS Update

How should the system be designed in the mid-term to: Better serve existing and

future transit markets Improve transit

“convenience” to attract “choice” riders

Incorporate i-26ALT recommendations

November 2015

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Next Steps Meet with CARTA Route Advisory Committee/Board on Short Range

Recommendations Develop Mid-Range Recommendations as part of i-26ALT Locally Preferred

Alternative (December 2015) Present recommendations for public input (January 2016) Implement short range plan (Beginning Summer 2016)

CHATS Update

November 2015

Spring 2015 www.i26ALT.org

J in the Conversation!

Visit us on the web: www.i26ALT.org Email us: info@i26ALT.org

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

i26alt.mindmixer.com

CHATS Update November 2015