The Future of Transit in Colorado

Transcription

1 Note: Will be adding photos to slides before finalizing The Future of Transit in Colorado CDOT Division of Transit and Rail Speakers: David Krutsinger, AICP Manager, Rail and Special Projects Tracey MacDonald Senior Transit and Rail Planner Moderator: Colleen Kirby Roberts, AICP Senior Envt l Planner, CH2M HILL

2 Presentation Summary CDOT Division of Transit and Rail Grants Administration Transit Planning Studies State Freight and Passenger Rail Plan Advanced Guideway System Feasibility Study Interregional Connectivity Study Intercity and Regional Bus Network Study Transit Performance Measures Statewide Transit Plan

3 CDOT Mission & Vision CDOT Mission: to provide the best multimodal transportation system for Colorado that most effectively and safely moves people, goods, and information CDOT Vision: to enhance the quality of life and environment of the citizens of Colorado by creating an integrated transportation system that focuses on safely moving people and goods by offering convenient linkages among modal choices

4 CDOT Division of Transit and Rail - Mission The Transit and Rail Division shall be responsible for the planning, development, operation, and integration of transit and rail into the statewide transportation system; shall, in coordination with other providers, plan, promote, and implement investments in transit and rail services statewide

5 Division of Transit & Rail Duties To develop a Statewide Transit and Rail Plan Integrate into Statewide Transportation Plan Identify local, interregional, and statewide transit and passenger rail needs and priorities Promote, plan, design, build, finance, operate, maintain and contract for transit services Establish and modify fares and schedules Administer and expend state and federal funds for construction, maintenance, and operation of interregional transit

6 Division of Transit & Rail Duties Coordinate and negotiate with railroads regarding the siting of passenger rail tracks and the coordination of transit services Represent the state with respect to the development of intercity rail facilities highspeed rail projects Pursue federal funding Coordinate with other states Coordinate and cooperate with Regional Transportation Authorities

7 Transit and Rail Advisory Committee Purpose: To partner with DTR by advising and promoting the Division s vision, policies and priorities To preserve and enhance the quality of life and the efficient mobility of people and goods, throughout and beyond Colorado, through the development of safe, reliable, environmentally sensitive, economically sound, with the responsibility to plan, develop, operate and integrate transit and rail into the statewide transportation system and customer-responsive transit and rail networks."

8 Transit Guiding Principles Safety and Accessibility Modality System and Service Preservation Transit Connectivity and Expansion Relationships with Local Entities State and Federal Presence and Advocacy

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10 Grants Administration - State Grant Program (FASTER) FY 2014 funding $5M local transit projects $8.8M statewide & interregional transit projects Priority: 1. Improvements to existing systems 2. New systems, expansions, or planning Recently funded projects include Vehicle refurbishments and replacements Transit stop & facility improvements

11 Grants Administration - Federal Grant Program Approximately $23M for FY14 DTR administers some FTA grants, not all Grants focused on rural and small urbanized areas Grants to numerous rural transit agencies throughout state for admin & operating costs, vehicle replacement and expansion, equipment and construction Grants for intercity bus service within Colorado and between Denver and out of state cities

12 Rural Transit Assistance Program Mission: to improve the safety and reliability of transit services for those in rural and tribal communities Assists rural transit providers in improving access to healthcare, education, recreation and community events through: Technical assistance Training Research Support Services Administered by CASTA and funded by FTA and CDOT

13 Questions on Grants Administration?

14 Planning Studies: Determining the Future of Transit in Colorado State Freight and Passenger Rail Plan Advanced Guideway System Feasibility Study Interregional Connectivity Study Intercity and Regional Bus Network Study Transit Performance Measures Statewide Transit Plan

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16 State Freight & Passenger Rail Plan Adopted by the Transportation Commission in March 2012 Required by state statute and to be eligible for future federal funding Developed a vision for rail in the state Plan includes: Goals System and commodity flow maps System needs and short and long range investments Existing and potential passenger rail service Policy recommendations

17 17 Studies Build on State Rail Plan Vision The Colorado rail system will improve the movement of freight and passengers in a safe, efficient, coordinated and reliable manner. In addition, the system will contribute to a balanced transportation network, cooperative land use planning, economic growth, a better environment and energy efficiency. Rail infrastructure and service will expand to provide increased transportation capacity, cost effectiveness, accessibility and intermodal connectivity to meet freight and passenger market demands through investments which included public-private partnerships.

18 Questions on the State Freight & Passenger Rail Plan?

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20 Advanced Guideway System (AGS) Feasibility Study I-70 Mountain Corridor ROD, June 2011: The Preferred Alternative is a multimodal solution and includes three main components identified by the Collaborative Effort Team: 1) Non-infrastructure Components, 2) the Advanced Guideway System, and 3) Highway Improvements A specific Advanced Guideway System technology has not been identified and will be studied in a subsequent feasibility study; if feasible, it will be evaluated in one or more Tier 2 NEPA processes

21 AGS Feasibility Study Study Area: Jefferson County to Eagle County Regional Airport Builds upon RMRA Study and I-70 PEIS Focused effort on: Alignment Technology Funding/Financing Follows I-70 Mountain Corridor CSS Process 18 month schedule (Apr 2012 Sept 2013)

22 AGS Feasibility Study - Purpose Determine the technological and financial feasibility of an AGS through: Identification and assessment of viable technologies Identification of potential alignments Investigation of potential financial arrangements Consensus among CDOT, the PLT, and other stakeholders

23 AGS Feasibility Study - Current Status Released Request for Statement of Technology Information (SOTI) September 2012 Received 18 SOTI and 11 technologies qualified based on performance criteria Oct/Nov 2012 Held technology forum in December 2012 Mag Lev Steel wheel/rail Other emerging technologies

24 AGS Feasibility Study - Next Steps Assess funding and finance options and compare to the different AGS technologies Determine the feasibility of the proposed funding and finance options Complete Final Feasibility Study by September 2013

25 Questions on the AGS Feasibility Study?

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27 ICS - Study Area Fort Collins Denver Colorado Springs Pueblo

28 ICS Basis for Study Builds from past studies: Rocky Mountain Rail Authority (RMRA) Study, 2010 State Rail Plan, 2012 I-70 Mountain Corridor PEIS, 2011 North I-25 EIS, 2011 East Corridor EIS, 2009 RTD FasTracks System

29 ICS - Purposes Provide cost-effective recommendations for high-speed intercity passenger rail (HSIPR) alignments, technologies and station locations to maximize ridership between HSIPR and RTD Suggest method for integrating HSIPR into the statewide multimodal network Develop logical step next step for implementing HSIPR in Colorado

30 ICS Purpose & Need Purpose: A HSIPR system would provide Colorado with a well-supported modal option for the state s transportation network that connects communities and destinations for interregional business and tourism travel; builds on and strengthens Colorado s existing transportation infrastructure; supports the State s Vision, as articulated in the State Rail Plan; and offers statewide social, environmental, and economic benefits that are greater than the capital and operating costs of its implementation. Needs: Address the mobility demands of future population growth Improve mobility and system capacity by providing a travel option Enhance economic growth and development through improved connectivity Improve the State s environmental quality and energy efficiency Provide economic benefits sufficient to attract new funding sources

31 ICS Evaluation Process Increasing levels of analysis Evaluation criteria Quantitative measures of: Cost Benefits Environmental impacts Public open houses at key milestones Fort Collins Denver Colorado Springs Pueblo

32 ICS - Current Status Conducting Level 2 Conceptual Evaluation of potential alignments Alignments through and around Denver metro area and north-south between Fort Collins and Pueblo Evaluation considerations: Ridership Cost-benefit Impacts

33 ICS Level 2 Environmental Criteria Air Quality Noise Energy and Congestion Initial and Permanent Employment Changes Land Use and Development Effects Wetlands and Water Resources Community Disruption Safety Hazardous Waste Historic Properties Park and Recreation Facilities

34 ICS - Next Steps Conduct Level 3 Detailed Evaluation Identify Preferred Alternative to integrate HSIPR with AGS in mountains and RTD in Denver area Develop practical implementation plan

35 Questions on the ICS?

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37 Intercity & Regional Bus Network Study Update of the 2008 Intercity and Regional Bus Study Identify state intercity and regional bus service needs and priorities with focus on I-25 and I-70 Estimate capital and operating costs Identify opportunities for intermodal connections Develop a phased implementation plan for improvements and funding requirements

38 Intercity & Regional Bus Network Study Key Elements: Connect population and employment centers on highly congested corridors Front Range (I-25) Mountain Corridor (I-70) Provide intercity/regional transit service during peak periods Capitalize on local transit system major investments Explore opportunities for CDOT to own, operate and maintain service

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41 Questions on the Intercity & Regional Bus Network Study?

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43 Performance Measures To assist in: Developing policy Prioritizing investments in projects/programs Measuring success Performance based planning provides a basis for determining how to spend limited available funding, while ensuring funding decisions are leading towards agency goals.

44 Performance Measures Conceptual Framework

45 Performance Measure Categories & Values Accessibility Coverage Serve all Populations Connectivity Mobility Quality of Service System Use Mode Share Safety Incidents Facility Security Economic Development Employment Tourism Environmental and Resource Conservation Environmental Conservation Resource Conservation Efficiency Financials Operations System Preservation and Expansion System Preservation System Expansion

46 Questions on Performance Measures?

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48 Statewide Transit Plan

49 Statewide Transit Plan

50 Statewide Transit Plan

51 Questions on the Statewide Transit Plan?

52 What is the Future of Transit in Colorado? Outcome of studies will provide a vision and implementation plans for transit and rail in Colorado After planning studies are complete, DTR will look at next steps to plan, develop, fund and operate these services DTR will develop and strengthen partnerships with other CDOT Divisions/regions and transit providers

53 What is the Future of Transit in Colorado? Focus on providing transit and rail service statewide and linking existing local transit networks through an integrated statewide system Coordination with Federal agencies on transit projects/programs Funding NEPA Training

54 Questions?