Forward Focused to the Road Ahead

InWINTERmotion 2020 THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT Projects and studies look Forward Focused to the road ahead DART is a national leader in developing and of these mobility options, complement our core testing new transportation ideas that emerge services, and give choices to our customers. This from rapidly changing technology and the private approach will help DART navigate the future and sector. Integrating new approaches into our ensure that the agency continues to meet the system allows DART to leverage the strengths needs of its customers across the region. Continued on Page 2 8 Forward Focused 8 Continued from Page 1 DARTzoom SM Bus Network This January, the agency executed a small us determine the most effective network Redesign will prepare for service change focused on schedule for today that serves how people use adjustments and issues that arose from the transit now.” region’s future growth August 2019 changes. DART anticipates two more service changes this year in June JWA will build on the findings of the DART bus riders in August experienced and September. Comprehensive Operations Analysis the most significant bus service change conducted in 2014-2015 and will design in nearly a decade, the first step toward New plan will address ridership and bus network options that best balance the DARTzoom Bus Network Redesign, coverage goals ridership and coverage priorities with the agency’s initiative to improve the bus These changes are just the beginning. limited resources. The consultants also rider experience. DART hired Jarrett Walker + Associates will recommend additional bus service (JWA), a leading transit planning and if the agency’s finances improve beyond Many customers now enjoy better policy consulting firm, in September to what is predicted in the 20-year frequency, more direct routes, expanded reenvision the agency’s bus network. The financial plan. weekday and weekend service hours, and DARTzoom Bus Network Redesign will schedule adjustments to improve on-time lead to the DARTzoom Bus Service Plan. The planning process will include a robust performance and transfers. Early The goal is to create a plan that guides the outreach effort to riders, stakeholders, indicators suggest that weekday and agency decades into the future. elected officials and bus operations staff. weekend ridership is increasing on many JWA is tasked with both collecting input of the adjusted routes. “A new plan is important because while on where people believe bus service should population and jobs within the DART go and with educating these key audiences For example, Route 409 was divided Service Area continue to grow, there have on the ridership-coverage trade-offs. into two routes: 409 and 426. The new been significant demographic and Route 409 became a core route with employment shifts in the region that have “The new DARTzoom Bus Service Plan higher frequency and expanded hours. impacted the effectiveness of the bus will outline our vision for what we would Early results indicate that ridership system,” said Todd Plesko, DART’s vice like our bus network to ultimately be, should increase at least 15% from the president of service planning and including the capital investments needed 409/426 change. development. “A complete redesign lets to make it fully work, which may require additional funding in the future,” Plesko said. DART staff also are updating the Transit System Plan, the agency’s long-range plan for future capital and operating programs, which will incorporate the new DARTzoom Bus Service Plan. Upon approval of the Transit System Plan by the DART Board, the agency estimates it will implement the first phase of recommendations with a major bus service change in January 2022. The DARTzoom Bus Network Redesign will include new developments – like the Trinity Groves area in West Dallas – that have emerged since DART’s bus system was first designed in the 1980s. 2 Partnership Explores the Feasibility of Self-Driving Buses Automated Bus Consortium aims to accelerate technology development Rendering courtesy of AECOM. Would you ride a transit bus that could drive itself? DART may ask its customers that question in a few years. Automated vehicles – which have self-driving features but still have a driver – are a proven technology with small shuttles. Now, the public transportation industry is asking whether automation makes sense for Depiction of a full-sized, full-speed automated bus in a live service environment. a full-size, full-speed transit bus. obtaining a go/no-go decision from each The consortium’s plan calls for a DART has partnered with AECOM, agency. DART funded its portion 12-month feasibility study (Phase 1), a large, progressive consulting firm with with a Regional Toll Revenue grant with the goal to implement pilot experience in the connected and from the North Central Texas Council projects with automated buses within automated vehicles sector, and 12 other of Governments. a two-year time frame (Phase 2), transit and transportation agencies to currently estimated to begin by form the Automated Bus Consortium In Phase 2 of the ABC program, 2022-2023. Each agency will make (ABC). The other agencies in the the consortium’s members have set its own decisions regarding bus consortium are some of the largest a target for a joint procurement of purchases and deployment following and most innovative in the industry, 75 to 100 buses, which makes vehicle the completion of the feasibility phase. like DART. Together, they hope to development more viable for one or accelerate development of automated more manufacturers. Pilot projects at If DART moves forward with the transit bus technology by combining the agencies would test the automated Automated Bus Consortium into resources and creating a ready market vehicles in a variety of geographies Phase 2, the 12-to-18-month for its use. and conditions to better understand testing/evaluation period would their application nationwide. include the public acceptance “By working together, we can reduce the campaign, bus operator involvement, planning and procurement costs and DART selected the Love Link route as infrastructure planning and securing more easily share lessons learned,” said its potential pilot project. The route is additional funding. Darryl Spencer, DART’s senior assistant only four miles round trip, operates on vice president of engineering. relatively straight roads, and anchors at “We have committed to participate in Inwood/Love Field Station, where an researching automated bus technology Each participating agency contributed electric vehicle charger could be under Phase 1, and DART participation $100,000 to join the consortium for installed. A human operator would under the Phase 2 pilot evaluation (up to Phase 1 of the program, which includes drive the bus safely through segments 4 buses) will proceed upon approval by identifying pilot routes, developing bus of the route that are not yet conducive the DART Board,” Spencer said. specifications, completing the risk for automation, such as an unprotected assessment, determining feasibility and left turn. 8 Learn more: AutomatedBusConsortium.com 3 Retail-Restaurant Park Coming to Farmers Branch The Shops at Mustang Station will add food options to station area Farmers Branch soon will celebrate the opening of The Shops at Mustang Station, the first new retail development near the city’s namesake DART Rail station on the Green Line. Developed by Canada-based Western Securities and leased by Dallas-based SHOP Companies, The Shops at Mustang Station will offer The Shops at Mustang Station, located next to DART’s Farmers Branch Station, is scheduled to open in early 2020 and will add the Cox Farms Market grocery store and several restaurants to the growing 40,000 square feet of food, beverage Mustang Crossing neighborhood. and retail space. The shopping and restaurant village is already pre-leased Mustang Crossing development at the The city invested infrastructure into the to the 10,000-square-foot Cox Farms corner of Valley View Lane and Bee Street. Grove at Mustang Crossing, an outdoor Market and the 8,000-square-foot entertainment venue covered by a canopy Cedar Creek Brewhouse & Eatery. The master-planned district includes of post oak trees near the DART station. Phases I and II of the contemporary Featuring concerts and farmers market Along with Cox Farms Market and Mustang Station Apartments, featuring days, the Grove includes a stage, Cedar Creek, four more restaurants are 256 units and 188 units, respectively. bathrooms, picnic tables and enhanced set to open in early 2020: paths for food trucks. Seasonal events • Red Stix, an Asian street “Mustang Station Apartments and activate the Grove during Christmas and food concept developed by The Shops at Mustang Station are other holidays. Uno Immanivong, an considered one of Western Securities’ alumna of ABC’s The Taste. flagship investments. We have been “The Green Line has been the catalyst honored to build a strong and long- we needed to attract an infusion of • Victoria’s Mexican Kitchen, lasting relationship with the city of quality development into the oldest area a Farmers Branch favorite Farmers Branch and DART,” said of the city and establish a vibrant new formerly known as The Kelly R. O’Connor, principal at town center,” said Allison Cook, Victoria Restaurant. Western Securities. Farmers Branch’s director of economic • Roots Southern Table, whose development and tourism. chef, Tiffany Derry, competed “Our location makes it the perfect spot on Bravo’s Top Chef. for our residents to leave their car at home Art department faculty from Brookhaven and jump on DART Rail to take them College, which is in Farmers Branch, are • Starwood Café, specializing in anywhere they need to go, whether that working on a sculpture to be featured in serving breakfast and lunch. be to work during the week or to dinner the median along Bee Street.

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