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Transit Hub Case Study: Penn Station By: Kathleen Cary Rose, Catherine Buhler and J. Luke Byrne Executive Summary The purpose of the Transit Hub Case Study is to identify and evaluate the four locations in Baltimore that are best suited for development into the first public Transit Hubs. Transit Hubs are terminals where several types of transportation connect, including pedestrian, bicycle, rail, metro, and automobile. This case study will envision how these hubs will function, with a focus on wayfinding, clean transportation, and better connections from mode to mode. The Baltimore­Washington Electric Vehicle Initiative (BEVI) operates as an advocate for electric vehicles as well as clean, sustainable, and active transportation. Our primary focus is to facilitate discussion, education, economic development, public policy, and urban planning related to electric vehicles (EVs) in support of climate prosperity. Currently, Penn Station operates as Baltimore’s midtown transportation hub. Through research we have identified needs and solutions to advance Penn Station as a major transportation hub for the city. Issues and Findings ­ Penn Station is lacking strong connections to the various modes of transportation the city has to offer. ­ Wayfinding via maps and signs are subpar. ­ EV charging stations are located within Penn Station’s pay­to­park garage, but signage indicating the station’s location is inadequate. ­ Bike culture is average at Penn Station. One bike lane passes by one of the two entrances to the station, and several bike racks are freely available to use. Solutions: ­ Connections can be linked by offering a more frequent Light Rail shuttle, and by introducing a non­stop express electric bus that takes commuters directly to the other three proposed transportation hubs. ­ Improved and streamlined wayfinding can additionally strengthen these connections and efficiently assist travelers. ­ Install a ground level EV charging spot to St. Paul Street. Add directional signage to plainly guide EV drivers to current and new charging spots. ­ Bike culture can be enhanced by adding bike lanes, bike route wayfinding, bikeshare, and by initiating electric assist bicycles. Station Assets Penn Station is located in the midtown area of Baltimore at 1515 N. Charles Street, within the Station North Arts and Entertainment District. Traffic enters and exits from St. Paul and Charles ​ ​ Street, which have convenient access to Interstate 83 North. Penn Station already acts as a hub ​ ​ for many modes of transit. The Marc train, Amtrak train, and MTA light rail system all connect to Penn Station’s tracks, while MTA buses, the Charm City Circulator, University of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins shuttles pick­up and drop­off on St. Paul Street and Charles Street. Penn Station, being the most sophisticated and updated transportation hub in the city, offers many features. Key Amenities: Food: Dunkin’ Donuts, Java Moon Cafe ​ News: Faber Newsstand and Gift Shop ​ Utilities: Wi­Fi, ATM, Quik­Trak kiosk, train departure/arrival board, website ​ Assistance: Amtrak Police Department, Amtrak information desk, ticket office ​ Wheelchair Accessible: Restrooms, elevators to Marc and Amtrak tracks and parking ​ garage, parking spots Seating: Enclosed waiting area with seating, outdoor benches and umbrellas ​ Bike: Covered hanging bike racks, covered standing bike racks ​ Parking: 525 parking spot garage with 2 electric vehicle charging spots ​ Drop off/pick up: Taxi stand, kiss and ride roundabout ​ Public Art: Jonathan Borofsky "Male/Female", 2004 ​ ​ ​ ​ Nearby resources: Off­site parking, gas stations, theaters, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops are all located within 0.25 mile radius. Walkable attractions include: ­ University of Baltimore ­ Maryland Institute College of Art ­ Lyric Opera House ­ Meyerhoff Symphony Hall ­ Walters Art Museum ­ The Charles Theater Station Challenges Lack of Amenities: Utilities: No electrical outlets, Quik­Trak kiosks are periodically down ​ Assistance: Usually only 1­2 ticket agents at ticket office causing long lines ​ Seating: Cooperative seating (benches only) ​ Bike: Crowded bike racks, no bikeshare, shared lane bike path on southbound St. Paul ​ Street, no bike lane on northbound Charles Street Parking: Only 2 EV charging spots, parking can cost up to $22/day ​ ​ ​ Wayfinding: Inconsistent unclear signage, limited number of maps, lacking transit ​ connection signage Pedestrian: Would be unsafe to walk to the station at night, no cross walk on St. Paul ​ Street to station Discussion Transit Connections: Penn Station is a large hub for non­local commuters that ride Amtrak or MARC trains. Although there is a large volume of riders that come from all over the Northeastern Corridor, connections to local transit systems are weak. ­ The only transit connection to Baltimore’s Light Rail system, 0.3 miles away, is infrequent. The light rail shuttle only runs every 30 minutes to the main Light Rail line. ­ The nearest Metro station, 0.7 miles away, and has no public transit connection to Penn Station. EV Charging Stations: Penn station currently has two EV charging stations in its pay­to­park garage, there is no street level EV charging. ­ There is only one level 2 charger shared between the two parking spots, with a charge limit of 10 hours. ­ The parking garage entrance does not indicate there is a charging station within the garage. ­ There are no signs to guide drivers to the charging station. ­ Charging is currently free, but the garage costs up to $22/day. Bike Routes, Transit Connection Maps and Signage: Penn Station lacks clear wayfinding to describe connections to other nearby forms of transportation: MTA buses, Charm City Circulator, University of Maryland shuttle, Johns Hopkins shuttle, MTA Light Rail, and the Metro. ­ The bus stops for MTA buses, Charm City Circulator, and universities’ shuttles are located on either side of Penn Station, on Charles and St. Paul Street without clearly specifying which bus routes stop at which stop as you leave the station. ­ There are no clear transit connections or wayfinding to the nearest Metro station, 0.7 miles away, the State Center. ­ The distance between the State Center Metro Station and the Light Rail is 0.2 miles, yet there is no clear wayfinding to connect riders between the two. Bike Challenges: Penn Station’s bicycle culture is in need of improvement and further advancement. ­ Bikeshare does not currently exist in Baltimore. In Spring of 2016, bikeshare is scheduled to arrive to the city, with Penn Station as an expected bikeshare station. ­ Bike parking is near capacity. The hanging and standing bike racks can hold up to a total of 60 bikes bikes. ­ There is only one bike lane that connects directly to Penn Station. This bike lane is shared with cars on fast and frequently used southbound St. Paul Street, one of two streets that enter and exit the station. Recommendations By using existing resources and adding to the current framework, Penn Station can improve transit connections, enhance EV readiness, and create a safer infrastructure for clean, active transportation thus making Baltimore more adeptly connected. Penn Station serves as a port for visitors to Baltimore. Improved connections would only cause a positive impact on tourism in the city. Transit Connections: ­ A preferred express electric bus, acting as a non­stop shuttle that connects Penn Station to the other three proposed Transportation Hubs: Mondawmin Station, Johns Hopkins Station, and Owings Mills Station. ­ More frequent trains on the Penn­Camden Light Rail line, leaving/arriving every 10 minutes compared to the current 30 minutes cycle. Along with efficiently connecting more riders to the Light Rail line, a more frequent occurrence would encourage riders to connect to the Metro’s State Center Station. By taking the Light Rail from Penn Station to the Cultural Center stop, State Center Station is only a 0.2 miles walk. EV Charging Stations: ­ Install 1­2 EV charging stations ground level on St. Paul Street. ZipCar leases two parking spots in this location, one of which could be donated to the city. Bike Routes, Transit Connection Maps and Signage: ­ Improve wayfinding by creating a well marked pedestrian/bike path for the 0.2 miles between the State Center Metro to the Cultural Center Light Rail stop. The path can be indicated by paint, brick, or dashed line. Planted medians would also be a protective solution for bike riders, while functioning as a visual symbol for pedestrians. ­ Improve maps by providing up to date electronic maps of all of MTA’s modes of transportation. Simplified versions of each transit mode should be located next to larger electronic map for clarification. ­ Replace current signage with streamlined signs to make clear the various connections to the Light Rail, Metro, buses and bike paths. Extend these signs to Penn Station’s nearest Light Rail and Metro station to create a stronger connection between the three stations. ­ Design protected bike lanes that run up Charles Street and down St. Paul Street. ­ Create maps that display the safest route to bike and walk to the station from surrounding areas of interest. Bikeshare and E­Bikes: ­ Make bikeshare prominent by installing docks on the eastern side of Penn Station, directly to the right of the entrance. Last­mile connections are lacking from Penn Station and bikeshare would allow more people to ride transit. ­ Ensure that bikeshare docks are also located at the State Center Metro and Cultural Center Light Rail Stop to create a stronger connection between the three stations. ­ Add Electric Assist Vehicles to the bikeshare fleet. Electric Assist Vehicles can be a provided option to those who do not feel confident riding a bicycle in the city, or for those who are not physically able to ride a normal bike. E­Bikes also help solve a common problem of bikeshare fleets being disproportionately ridden downhill, and needing redistribution. If riders could easily ride bikes uphill with an added assist, there would be less need for redistribution.

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