Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board Action/Information Summary nmlkj Action nmlkji Information MEAD Number: Resolution: Yes No nmlkj nmlkji TITLE: Update on Regional Transit System Plan (RTSP) PURPOSE: To provide the Board with information on the Regional Transit System Plan (RTSP), a 30-year vision for a multi-modal regional transit network. DESCRIPTION: Within Metro s current strategic framework, this project supports our goals of delivering quality service, using resources wisely, and maintaining and enhancing Metro`s image by developing a plan for an integrated regional transit system to facilitate the development of complete communities, encourage and accommodate future ridership growth, and maximize access to and availability of transit. The information provided in the presentation will inform the Board of the alignment of the Regional Transit System Plan (RTSP) with Region Forward and the Board s Strategic Plan, findings from the analysis completed to date, and the upcoming tasks and milestones including public outreach. Metro`s principal focus has been on safety, state-of-good-repair, and budget issues. In parallel, growth trends in the Washington, DC region indicate that Metro should also focus on its ability to serve future transit demand in the region. Major system improvement projects to increase capacity have long timelines (10-20 years) to plan, design, fund, and construct, so Metro needs to provide an updated system expansion plan now in order to address capacity constraints that are expected to emerge between 2020 and 2040. The RTSP will address future growth and options for improving and expanding transit service. The plan will be a 30-year vision for an integrated high-capacity, multi-modal transit network to achieve goals and objectives that are closely aligned to Region Forward. This is not the first time that Metro has worked to develop a regional transit plan. In 1999, Metro adopted a Transit Service Expansion Plan, aimed at doubling transit ridership by 2025 and increasing the region`s fixed-guideway miles by 50%. Some of those projects have been implemented, others are planned or
under construction, and others have yet to be undertaken. Now, more than 10 years later, it is time for a fresh look at the future of the region`s transit system that currently has 15 operators. While assessing projects that Metro can undertake itself, the RTSP is operator-neutral because Metro plays an important role in advocating for connections and projects that promote seamless travel across the region and identifying the most promising projects that provide the greatest regional benefit. To date, the project has modeled and analyzed 20+ strategies focused on core capacity, access, surface transit, and new connections to regional activity centers. Staff has met frequently with its multi-jurisdictional Technical Advisory Group, and the presentations have been posted on PlanItMetro.com. Additionally, public outreach will be initiated through public workshops and an online crowd-sourcing tool. The upcoming phase of work on the study will include the evaluation of future transit scenarios. Four initial scenarios will include multiple strategies and projects organized around central questions about the future focus of transit improvements: Scenario 1: Maximize Existing Infrastructure What are the results of moderate changes to the existing system Scenario 2: Expand Surface Transit What are the results from a substantial increase in connected surface transit? Scenario 3: Expand Transit Core Capacity What is the scale of improvement needed to resolve core capacity issues? Scenario 4: Expand Transit Systemwide How much can we change mode share and vehicle miles traveled percapita with a substantial increase in heavy rail? By the end of 2012, staff will prepare preliminary recommendations and a draft plan. Subsequent presentations to the Board are expected during 2012 as the process continues.
. FUNDING IMPACT: No impact on funding for this information item. However, the RTSP will help identify future capital projects to meet ridership growth and improve the quality of service. Project Manager: Mark Kellogg Project Department/Office: PLJD/PLAN RECOMMENDATION: There is no action needed for this information item.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Strategic Planning & Regional Transit System Plan Update Board of Directors Strategic Planning Session April 26, 2012
Purpose Discuss input from stakeholder meetings to date Link Regional Transit System Plan (RTSP) with Strategic Plan Update RTSP 2040 analysis Outline RTSP stakeholder and public engagement approach 2
What Are Stakeholders Saying? Improve Metro is vital to customer service the region Visible progress it doesn t cost is being made anything but the in fixing the payoff is great system let s sustain it Bi Bring Metro s costs under control Planning for the future is important
Regional Strategic Alignment Very Long Term 10-30 Years Metro s Accessibility Contribution: 1. Improving Mobility 2. Connecting Complete Communities 3. Ensuring Financial Sustainability Long Term 2-10 Years Regional Transit System Plan Regional Transit System Plan Metro s Strategic Plan: Mission & Vision Strategic & Operational a Goals Adjust Strategy? Take Action Define What Regional Success Looks Like Adjust Tactics? Measure Results Report Short Term 0-2 Years Strategy Execution Through Metro s Multi-Year Business Plan and Budgets
RTSP Characteristics 30-year vision (2040) Multi-modal regional transit network Operator-neutral to create a seamless customer experience Infrastructure plan for projects that have long development horizons 5
Our Future Rides With Metro Achieving Region Forward s goals/targets g requires improving and expanding transit Extending the system has a direct impact on core capacity. Assuming 10+ years to construct major core capacity projects, a preferred expansion strategy and secure funding needs to be identified in the next 5 years Partnering is needed to prioritize surface transit on roadways and create a multimodal regional transit system. 6
RTSP Evaluation Framework Board Strategic Goals: Improve Mobility in the Region Support Development of Complete Communities Ensure Financial Sustainability RTSP Evaluation Factors Environmental quality, energy efficiency, human health and safety Transit-oriented, mixed-use communities that capture employment and household growth, provide choices Access to and availability of integrated and convenient transit choices High-quality transit that accommodates and encourages future ridership growth Financially viable and sustainable transit 7
Findings from 2040 Base Case Network Regional transit trips are expected to grow by over 30% Base Case Peak Hour Passenger Loads Overcrowding will be most severe leading to Rosslyn and L Enfant Plaza Demand will increase for: Suburban rail station access Circulation within central jurisdictions Suburb-suburb travel 8
What Strategies Does the Region Need? Core Capacity Access Surface Transit New Strategies Strategies Strategies Connections Strategies New rail lines In-fill stations & Enhanced bus Metrorail through the core pedestrian connections priority corridors extensions to activity centers Rail inter-lining Improved Enhanced Commuter rail (providing new pedestrian commuter rail and extensions connections between existing networks bus service rail lines) Enhanced bus priority corridors Park and ride lots with shuttles to rail Enhanced BRT network BRT/LRT/Streetcar extensions 9
Findings from Rail Strategies No single strategy addresses all core capacity issues New lines reduce transfers at key stations ti Interlining increases service flexibility and redundancy, but is mixed in terms of core capacity issues Extensions further strain Metrorail core capacity Extensions relieve park and ride capacity issues at existing end of line stations 10
Findings from Surface Transit Strategies High quality surface transit strategies improve coverage and access to regional activity centers and improve transit share and access to jobs Streetcar: modest core relief Enhanced priority corridors: modest reduction in peak Metrorail loads Transitway (LRT/BRT): mixed results on congested Metrorail links 11
Initial Scenarios Under Analysis Scenario 1: Maximize Existing Infrastructure What are the results of moderate changes to the existing system? Scenario 2: Expand Surface Transit What are the results from a substantial increase in connected surface transit? Scenario 3: Expand Transit Core Capacity What is the scale of improvement needed to resolve core capacity issues? Scenario 4: Expand Transit Systemwide How much can we change mode share and vehicle miles traveled/capita with a substantial increase of heavy rail? 12
Strategic Plan Next Steps Staff drafts strategic plan incorporating stakeholder input May - June Board review and discussion Stakeholder forum/public Outreach Adopt final strategic plan June - July Fall Fall/Winter
Appendix
RTSP Evaluation Factors and Objectives 1: Enhance environmental quality, improve energy efficiency, and protect human health and safety Maximize safety Minimize transportation related emissions and energy use 2: Facilitate transit-oriented, mixed-use communities that capture employment and household growth, providing choices in where to live, work, and play Provide highly hl desirable transit choices to support growth in regional activity centers (RACs) and mixed-use corridors Provide attractive transit options to support existing and planned development outside RACs 15
RTSP Evaluation Factors and Objectives 3: Maximize access to and availability of integrated and convenient transit choices Maximize transit network coverage and improve mobility throughout h t the region Improve availability of and multimodal access to transit stations and stops served by high-frequency, higher-speed service Balance user benefits from transit to residents throughout the region 16
RTSP Evaluation Factors and Objectives 4: Provide a high-quality transit system that accommodates and encourages future ridership growth Maximize transit s competitiveness with the automobile Provide sufficient capacity to serve future demand 5: Provide a financially viable and sustainable transit system that is efficient and effective for the Region Provide transit service that is the best value to the region 17
Scenario 1: Maximize Existing Infrastructure Pedestrian tunnels and other improvements at closely located stations Enhanced priority corridor network Enhanced commuter bus network Transitways (LRT/BRT) Commuter rail connections and service enhancements Infill stations Interline connections
Scenario 2: Expand Surface Transit Pedestrian tunnels and other improvements at closely located stations Enhanced priority corridor network Enhanced commuter bus network Transitway (LRT/BRT) Streetcar network and connections Commuter rail connections and service enhancements
Scenario 3: Expand Transit Core Capacity Pedestrian tunnels and other improvements at closely located stations PCN Plan Streetcar network Commuter rail service enhancements Infill station Interline connections Separate Yellow and Green Lines
Scenario 4: Expand Transit Systemwide Pedestrian tunnels and Infill stations other improvements at Remote park and ride lots closely located stations Separate Yellow and Enhanced priority it Green Lines corridors Separate Blue and Enhanced commuter bus Orange Lines network Metrorail extensions Transitways (LRT/BRT) Beltway links Commuter rail connections and service enhancements