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Transit Network Improvements and Regional Transit Corridors Technical Report Table of Contents Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction 4 Regional Transit Corridor Characteristics ...................................................................40 Identification of Gaps, Needs, and Opportunities .................................................... 5 Modes .............................................................................................................................40 Transit Network Improvements ......................................................................................... 5 Minimum Service Levels ........................................................................................40 Regional Transit Corridors ..................................................................................................... 5 Transit Priority Improvements .............................................................................43 Next Steps for Regional Transit Corridors ...................................................................52 Chapter 2 Transit Network Improvements 6 Expansion of Existing Fixed-Route Services ................................................................8 Appendix 1 Corridor Profiles Small Area Plans and Shared Mobility Applications ............................................13 Appendix 2 Prioritization Methodologies Transit Hubs................................................................................................................................ 18 Next Steps for Transit Network Improvements ........................................................ 19 Chapter 3 Regional Transit Corridors 22 Overview of Regional Transit Corridors .........................................................................22 Prioritization of Regional Transit Corridors ................................................................25 Prioritization Process ................................................................................................25 Prioritization Methodology .................................................................................. 26 Prioritization Groups .................................................................................................27 Early Opportunity Corridors ................................................................................. 28 Mid-Term Opportunity Corridors ...................................................................... 30 Long-Term Opportunity Corridors .....................................................................32 Next Steps for All Prioritization Groups ........................................................................34 Transit Readiness .....................................................................................................................35 Introduction Identification of Regional Transit Introduction Gaps, Needs, and Corridors ———————————————————————————— 1 Opportunities Regional Transit Corridors are key ———————————————————————————— areas for the planning of new transit The recommended Transit Network assets over the next 25 years. Areas Improvements and Regional Transit identified as Regional Transit Corridors The Regional Transit Plan (“the This technical report describes: Corridors contained in this technical demonstrate transit demand that Plan”) describes three initiatives by • The identification of Transit Network report were based on transit gaps, justifies infrastructure, services, and/or which the region will achieve the Improvements needs, and opportunities identified technology improvements. All the six plan objectives. These initiatives • The selection and prioritization of through a study of existing conditions, selected corridors are regionally are Strategies, Transit Network Regional Transit Corridors an analysis of the market demand significant, providing crucial Improvements, and Regional Transit for transit, a review of best practices connectivity within and between Corridors. The Strategies are detailed related to the customer journey, jurisdictions. in the Plan and are referenced and through public and stakeholder throughout this technical report in outreach. gray boxes. The Plan does not define specific routes, service patterns, alignments, Transit Network or levels of service, nor does it identify specific stations or modes Improvements to serve those corridors. Relevant ———————————————————————————— stakeholders will conduct future Transit Network Improvements studies in coordination with MDOT are smaller improvements to local MTA to identify the appropriate or express transit service already levels of service, mode, and stations operating in the region. These to serve these corridors as the Plan improvements were identified by is implemented over the next 25 analyzing the existing transit network, years. The 30 corridors defined in this market demand for transit, and plan are meant to remain flexible to existing and future travel flows. The accommodate the results of future improvements fall into four categories: feasibility studies. The details included in Chapter 3, and in the Appendices • Expanded Transit Service of this technical report, should provide • Small Area Plans and Shared local decision-makers the tools to Mobility Applications plan and implement recommended • Improvements to Existing Rail corridor service and assets. Corridors • Transit Hubs More information on this analysis can be found in the Existing and Future Conditions Technical Report. 4 5 Network Improvement Areas Transit Network Improvements Subject to future feasibility analysis Transit Network and local jurisdiction support 2 Improvements There are specific areas in the • Expansion of the existing transit Central Maryland region that have service, including a demonstrated need for small, ̵ Additional service on existing localized, or express transit network routes improvements. These improvements ̵ New local or express transit are needed to fill in gaps in service, routes feed into the corridors, and improve • Small area plans in locations that the customer journey (as detailed need further analysis and/or could in the Customer Journey Technical benefit from Shared Mobility Report). The Transit Network solutions Improvements are one of three • Existing rail corridor improvements initiatives developed for the Plan, with • Creation of transit hubs the Strategies and the Regional Transit Corridors. Each of these components These improvements are identified will provide the greatest benefit when based on analysis of the existing transit they work together. This chapter will network, the transit market demand, discuss various types of transit network and existing and future travel flows improvements recommended for the (which are further documented in region, including: the Existing and Future Conditions Technical Report). Input from stakeholders and the public were also critical in developing and refining this slate of improvements. Figure 2-1 6 Network Improvement Areas 7 Network Improvements and Corridors Technical Report Transit Network Improvements a market demand for transit greater Expansion of Existing than the current provision of transit services in the peak, off-peak, and/or Fixed-Route Services Area Name Rationale Peak ———————————————————————————— weekend time periods. In some cases, County Off Peak One major element of the network there is no existing transit service in Weekend improvements is the expansion of the given time period. For instance, Existing service has low frequency and limited span Brooklyn x x x in all periods. (Note: Brooklyn extends into Anne existing fixed-route services. This Harford County has no fixed-route Arundel County.) expansion falls into two categories: the transit service on the weekend. Cherry Hill x x x High need area identified by market analysis. addition of service on existing routes, and the creation of new local and Recommendations are detailed below East Impact Area x x x High need area identified by market analysis. express transit routes. in Table 2-1 along with a rationale for Existing free Harbor Connector operates only Inner Harbor x x during weekday peak hours. Other service exists in improving service, often in reference other periods but at a much higher fare. to current limited or nonexistence Additional Service on Existing Routes Park Heights Impact Baltimore City Baltimore x x x High need area identified by market analysis. The need for additional service was service. Area identified in areas that demonstrate Southwest Impact x x x High need area identified by market analysis. Area Table 2-1 West Impact Area x x x High need area identified by market analysis. Proposed Expansion of Existing Fixed-Route Service and Rationale Cockeysville x Growing retail and employment corridor. Dundalk (Wise Existing service has limited span on weekends but x Avenue) demonstrates high all-day demand. Existing service has low frequency and limited span Area Name Rationale Essex x x in off-peak and on weekends but demonstrates Peak high all-day demand. County Off Peak Weekend MD 43 (Crossroads) x x Growing employment center. Existing service has low frequency and limited Arundel Mills x x x Existing service has low frequency and limited span span in all periods. Middle River x x in off-peak and on weekends but demonstrates Existing service has low frequency and limited high all-day demand. Brooklyn Park x x x span in all periods. (Note: Brooklyn extends into Existing service has low frequency and limited span Baltimore City.) Perry Hall