Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Toolbox: Assessing Person Throughput to Measure Transportation Impacts for BRT Projects

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Toolbox: Assessing Person Throughput to Measure Transportation Impacts for BRT Projects UC Berkeley Research Reports Title Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Toolbox: Assessing Person Throughput to Measure Transportation Impacts for BRT Projects Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/03s7k8ff Authors Koling, Adam Zhang, Wei-Bin Zhou, Kun et al. Publication Date 2018-05-17 eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California Final Report Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Toolbox: Assessing Person Throughput to Measure Transportation Impacts for BRT Projects Adam Koling, Wei-Bin Zhang, Kun Zhou and Huadong Meng California PATH Program University of California at Berkeley January 22, 2018 STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE TR0003 (REV. 10/98) 1. REPORT NUMBER 2. GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION NUMBER 3. RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER CA17-2664 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. REPORT DATE January 22, 2018 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Toolbox: BRT Person Throughput- Vehicle Congestion Tradeoffs 7. AUTHOR(S) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO. Adam Koling, Wei-Bin Zhang, Kun Zhou and Huadong Meng UCB-ITS-PRR-2018-0X 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. WORK UNIT NUMBER California PATH Program, University of California at Berkeley 11. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER 1357 46th St., Richmond, CA 94804 12. SPONSORING AGENCY AND ADDRESS 13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED California Department of Transportation Division of Research and Innovation 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE P.O. Box 942873, MS 83 Sacramento, CA 94273-0001 15. SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES 16. ABSTRACT This report studied person throughput as an impact metric for proposed BRT routes under Caltrans jurisdiction, given the agency’s specific interest in preserving or improving the performance of particular state-owned corridors. It also introduces a simple spreadsheet tool to estimate a BRT project’s traffic impact and show how improved bus service can boost corridor performance. Representatives of Caltrans D4, D7, and D11 were interviewed after tentative development of the tool, expressed support of a transition towards person throughput, and offered feedback on how the tool might best suit most district employees’ needs. 17. KEY WORDS 18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT Bus Rapid Transit, Transportation Planning, No restrictions. This document is available to the Measure of Effectiveness public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION (of this report) 20. NUMBER OF PAGES 21. PRICE Unclassified Reproduction of completed page authorized 1 Disclaimer Statement This document is disseminated in the interest of information exchange. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California or the Federal Highway Administration. This publication does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. This report does not constitute an endorsement by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) of any product described herein. For individuals with sensory disabilities, this document is available in braille, large print, audiocassette, or compact disk. To obtain a copy of this document in one of these alternate formats, please contact: the California Department of Transportation, Division of Research Innovation, and Systems Information, MS-83, P.O. Box 942873, Sacramento, CA 94273-0001. 2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 5 1. Context .................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.1 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) .................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 Characteristics and Challenges of BRT .............................................................................................. 7 Environmental Review for Transportation Projects .................................................................................. 8 1.3 Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) and Level of Service (LOS) ....................................................... 9 1.4 The Impetus for Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) ........................................................................................ 10 1.5 Senate Bill 743: Transitioning to Alternative Measures of Effectiveness ........................................ 11 2. Literature Review ................................................................................................................................ 13 2.1 Academic Research on BRT, Traffic, and Tradeoffs ........................................................................ 13 2.2 Previous Caltrans and PATH Documents ......................................................................................... 14 2.3 Bay Area Examples ........................................................................................................................... 16 3. Development of a BRT Planning Tool.................................................................................................. 18 3.1 Methodology and Assumptions ........................................................................................................ 18 3.2 Input and Output: Step-by-Step Instructions on Completing Spreadsheet Tool ............................... 18 3.4 Overview of 2014 Interviews with Caltrans Districts ....................................................................... 20 3.5 Interviews with Caltrans Districts to Review Spreadsheet Tool ....................................................... 21 4. Conclusion and Recommendations..................................................................................................... 23 Works Cited ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Appendices .................................................................................................................................................. 26 Appendix A: Perspectives of Interviewed BRT Project Managers of Two Transit Agencies ....................... 27 a.1 Interview Findings: AC Transit......................................................................................................... 27 a.2 Interview Findings: SFCTA .............................................................................................................. 27 a.3 Interview Synthesis ........................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix B: Caltrans Director’s Policy (2013) ...................................................................................... 31 Appendix C: Caltrans Deputy Directive (2013) ..................................................................................... 32 3 Acknowledgements This work was performed by the California PATH Program at the University of California at Berkeley in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The authors thank Bradley Mizuno, Gloria Gwynne, Fouad Ziaullah, Lai Saetern, and Prakash Sah of Caltrans’ Division of Research and Innovation and System Information, and Scott Sauer of Caltrans Division of Mass Transportation/ Division of Transportation Planning for their support and advice during the project. The authors would also like to thank Michael Schwartz and Bob Masys of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority and Jim Cunradi of AC Transit and the members of the project Technical Advisory Committee members Antonette Clark, Jean Finney, Wingate Lew, Fredrick Schermer, Ina Gerhard, Connery Cepeda, Chris Schmidt, Al Cox, Jila Priebe, Scott Sauer, and Emily Abrahams which provided valuable inputs. 4 Executive Summary This report contributes to ongoing research conducted by the California Partners for Advanced Transportation (PATH) on tradeoffs arising when portions of a roadway are reserved for bus rapid transit (BRT). Specifically, this project builds on the findings of a 2015 PATH report entitled Bus Rapid Transit Toolbox: BRT Person Throughput-Vehicle Congestion Tradeoffs that examined how the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) decides whether to allow transit agencies to build and operate BRT—enhanced bus service with exclusive lanes, dedicated boarding platforms, and separation from other traffic—on sections of its state highway system. BRT can play a new and significant role in transportation systems. Less expensive and more flexible than rail while faster and more reliable than conventional buses, BRT has emerged in recent decades to relieve multiple sources of bus delay while reducing economic and political challenges associated with large-scale infrastructure “megaprojects.” Transit agencies across California operate or anticipate BRT corridors as components of their service networks, and many existing or planned BRT routes align partially or completely within Caltrans rights-of-way. Whether on limited-access highways or urban arterials, BRT can achieve increases in speed and reliability, and often bus mode share, by replacing one
Recommended publications
  • BUS STATIONS AS TOD ANCHORS REPORT Prepared in Accordance with California Senate Bill 961, 2017-2018 Regular Session
    Housing Financing Tools and Equitable, Location-Efficient Development in California BUS STATIONS AS TOD ANCHORS REPORT Prepared in Accordance with California Senate Bill 961, 2017-2018 Regular Session Prepared for: Governor's Office of Planning and Research December 29, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................... 1 I. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 5 Report Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 5 Report Organization ................................................................................................................ 5 II. BACKGROUND ON THE SECOND NEIGHBORHOOD INFILL FINANCE AND TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS ACT ................................................................................................................ 7 Definition of Bus Transit ......................................................................................................... 7 Extent of Use ........................................................................................................................... 7 III. LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................ 9 Literature Overview ................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Bus Rapid Transit Feasiblity Study
    TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 2 MODES AND TRENDS THAT FACILITATE BRT ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 2.1 Microtransit ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 2.2 Shared Mobility .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.3 Mobility Hubs ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.4 Curbside Management .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 3 VEHICLES THAT SUPPORT BRT OPERATIONS ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Automated Vehicles .................................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 APTA Public Transportation Fact Book
    2013 Public Transportation Fact Book 2013 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FACT BOOK 64th Edition October 2013 PUBLISHED BY American Public Transportation Association Fact book historical tables and additional data are available at: http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/transitstats.aspx American Public Transportation Association 1666 K Street, N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20006 TELEPHONE: (202) 496-4800 E-MAIL: statistics@apta.com www.apta.com APTA’s Vision Statement Be the leading force in advancing public transportation. APTA’s Mission Statement APTA serves and leads its diverse membership through advocacy, innovation, and information sharing to strengthen and expand public transportation. prepared by John Neff, Senior Policy Researcher (202) 496-4812 jneff@apta.com Matthew Dickens, Policy Analyst (202) 496-4817 mdickens@apta.com PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FACT BOOK American Public Transportation Association Washington, DC October 2013 Material from the 2013 Public Transportation Fact Book may be quoted or reproduced without obtaining the permission of the American Public Transportation Association. Suggested Identification: American Public Transportation Association: 2013 Public Transportation Fact Book, Washington, DC, October, 2013. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents APTA AND THE FACT BOOK ......................................... 5 Figure 11: Percent of Systems with Arrival Time Formats .................................................................. 15 NATIONAL DATA SUMMARY ......................................... 6 VEHICLES .....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • BRT Arlington
    Reconsider the Curb MAITE Conference Curb Space is Limited & in High Demand Transit Delivery Ride Hailing (Uber/Lyft) Bicycle Access Curb Space is Limited & in High Demand Reconsider the Curb: 1 City Block Reconsider the Curb: 1 City Block Reconsider the Curb: 1 City Block 2,000 1,800 1,750 What Does a Curb Space Represent? 1,500 1 car = ~1.1 people / hr. 1,250 1,000 OR 750 500 30 drop-offs = 33+ people / hr. 250 2 minutes per drop-off / pick-up (avg.) Uber, Lyft, Taxi, Micro-Transit, Robot Taxis Reconsider the Curb Chicago, IL ATLANTA DOWNTOWN ATLANTA DOWNTOWN Reconsider the Curb Huntington, NY McKinney, TX Somerville, MA New York, NY (NACTO) Boston, MA Reconsider the Curb: 1 City Block BostonBRT & Local Bus Pilots 2018 Julia Wallerce, Boston Program Manager Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) September 26th, 2019 ITDP’s Mission: To promote sustainable and equitable transport to create inclusive, people‐oriented cities Our Focus on BRT…. Bus Rapid Transit: • High capacity • High speed • Customer oriented Not an old bus running in a bus lane! Defining BRT Dedicated bus lanes at least 1.9 miles long Use Keywords The BRT Standard online 5 BRT Basics Dar es Salaam Busway Alignment: Bus lanes separated from traffic with a median alignment Eugene, Oregon: Emerald Express (EmX) Off‐board Fare Collection Mexico City, Mexico: Metrobus Platform Level Boarding Ahmedabad, India: Janmarg High‐quality stations: Wide, weather protected, safe, well‐lit Yichang, China Buses with multiple, very wide doors Bogota, Colombia: TransMilenio BRT in the US: 11 cities, 12 corridors U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Building a Better Bus Rapid Transit System with Transit Signal Priority
    WHITE PAPER GPS-enabled Platform Building a better Bus Rapid Transit system with Transit Signal Priority As urbanization and pressure on public transit Combining the flexibility of CASE STUDY: systems in cities around the world intensifies, buses with the efficiency Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is becoming an ALBUQUERQUE, NM increasingly attractive answer to questions of of rail, Bus Rapid Transit This whitepaper examains how smart passenger mobility. systems make smart use of BRT systems often employ Transit Combining the flexibility of buses with the technology, infrastructure and Signal Priority solutions to reduce efficiency of rail, BRT systems make smart delays at intersections and main- transit operations to create a use of technology, infrastructure and transit tain schedules. operations to create a faster, more reliable and faster, more reliable and more more convenient public transport service for convenient public transport It’s this reliability which is the hall- the most in-demand routes. These are regularly mark of successful BRT and BRT- implemented in areas where congestion service for the most in- lite systems, and reliable on-time and other factors have led to bus services demand routes. performance which attracts riders. struggling to serve the needs of commuters No place has done this better than and other riders. Because it is far less Albuquerque, New Mexico where expensive to build and operate than rail, BRT the new Albuquerque Rapid Tran- works particularly well in growing mid-sized cities where standard bus services are struggling sit (ART) route use TSP to make to meet demand, but there is still insufficient population density to justify the investment-levels operations more efficient.
    [Show full text]
  • Operating a Bus Rapid Transit System
    APTA STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM APTA-BTS-BRT-RP-007-10 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE Approved October, 2010 American Public Transportation Association APTA BRT Operations Working 1666 K Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20006-1215 Group Operating a Bus Rapid Transit System Abstract: This Recommended Practice provides guidance for operational considerations for bus rapid transit systems. Keywords: bus rapid transit (BRT), operations Summary: BRT is a suite of elements that create a high-quality rapid transit experience using rubber-tired vehicles. This experience often includes a high degree of performance (especially speed and reliability), ease of use, careful attention to aesthetics and comprehensive planning that includes associated land uses. BRT seeks to meet or exceed these characteristics through the careful application of selected elements. Scope and purpose: The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to planners, transit agencies, local governments, developers and others interested in operating a BRT systems or enhancing existing BRT systems. This Recommended Practice is part of a series of APTA documents covering the key elements that may comprise a BRT system. Because BRT elements perform best when working together as a system, each Recommended Practice may refer to other documents in the series. Agencies are advised to review all relevant guidance documents for their selected elements. This Recommended Practice represents a common viewpoint of those parties concerned with its provisions, namely, transit operating/planning agencies, manufacturers, consultants, engineers and general interest groups. The application of any standards, practices or guidelines contained herein is voluntary. In some cases, federal and/or state regulations govern portions of a rail transit system’s operations.
    [Show full text]
  • Best Practices for Engaging Anchor Institutions and Neighborhoods
    Capitol Region Council of Governments Building Corridors of Opportunity: Best Practices for Engaging Anchor Institutions and Neighborhoods Final Report December 1, 2016 Acknowledgements Building Corridors of Opportunity: Best Practices for Engaging Anchor Institutions and Neighborhoods, Final Report was prepared with financial support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The report was prepared for the Capitol Region Council of Governments by the consulting firm of HR&A Advisors, Inc. Building Corridors of Opportunity, Final Report 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary.........................................................05 Case Studies....................................................................19 Cleveland Healthline...............................................29 East Liberty Revitalization......................................42 Cortex Innovation Community................................52 Maryland TOD Initiative.........................................63 Urban Essex Coalition for Smart Growth............72 Emerald Express (EmX)...........................................82 Appendix..........................................................................90 Building Corridors of Opportunity, Final Report 3 Executive Summary CTfastrak is a bus rapid transit (BRT) service that began operation in 2015, running from downtown Hartford to downtown New Britain, Connecticut. • With a dedicated right-of-way, frequent service, pre-boarding payment system, and specially designed buses, it is one of the highest-rated systems
    [Show full text]
  • 24% 41% 1 in 5
    ART ALBUQUERQUE RAPID TRANSIT BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) Bus Rapid Transit has shown that it can facilitate development and Improving transportation options is vital to Albuquerque’s future quality community growth, creating places where people want to live, work and of life and economic development. Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) offers play with a neighborly focus, mix of uses, and pedestrian priority. quick, simple, and safe first-class travel along with economic benefits. Transit-oriented development has proven to be a catalyst for new investment and businesses and supportive of existing corridor businesses, including restaurants, retail, and entertainment. ART would also provide opportunities for improved streetscape and walkability, attracting more people to live along the corridor. ELEMENTS OF BRT • Dedicated road, lane or • Pre-boarding ticketing mixed traffic route • Level boarding • Frequent service • Stops from ¼ to ½ mile or • Priority signals at more apart intersections Conceptual Design VISUALIZATION PURPOSE ONLY PROJECT BENEFITS Faster and more reliable service WITHIN 1/2 MILE OF CENTRAL AVENUE: • 15% improvement in travel time • 20-25% improved on-time performance 24% 41% 1 in 5 • Improved safety and security of all employment of all ABQ Ride households have Demand ridership income below • 5.3 million riders in 2014 — nearly 15,000 per day and 41% of the poverty level total number of ABQ RIDE passengers • 50% estimated growth of ridership in next 5 years (based on preliminary FTA STOPS model output) • ART would connect with
    [Show full text]
  • It's Your Bus. It's Your Emx
    Better Cover West Eugene Service Redesign togetherBus Image . A Riders Guide to New Service in West Eugene Beginning September 17, 2017 It’s Your Bus. It’s Your EmX. At Lane Transit District, we are driven by the people we serve, providing independence to those in the community. Every year, millions of riders depend on LTD to get to work, school, medical appointments, and the many other activities that make this community home. To learn more about what drives us, visit LTD.org It’s Your Bus... After years of hard work, the newest LTD rapid transit connection on West 11th is complete. With new pavement and asphalt, many young trees that will soon provide shade over the roadway, new efficient street lights, and fiber optic cables enhancing quality of service,EmX is ready to take you to more places you want to go. The process was quite an undertaking. Now it’s time to enjoy the benefits. It’s Your EmX West 1 RiverRoad Silver Ln Station Cubit Barger Grove 41 Hwy 99 River Rd River N Park Echo Hollow Echo Hollow Greenhill Northwest Expressway Terry Beltline Park Royal N LTD Station Estación de LTD LTD Park & Ride Fairfield Fixed Route to EmX 41 Transfer Point 41 EmX 55 36 Route 36 1st 41 Route 41 93 55 Route 55 6th Route 78 78 Seneca Seneca 7th 93 Route 93 Bertelson Eugene Danebo Park & Ride Fred Meyer Target 10th Station Hwy 126 11th 93 93 13th Walmart 78 Olive UO Bailey Hill Bailey Oak Patch 18th Station 36 78 Kevington Hawkins Garfield Chambers Hilyard Alder Kincade Warren Wilshire Brittany 2 Better Connections RiverRoad The EmX West will complement and expand the new service Silver Ln Station changes in West Eugene, Churchill and Bethel/Danebo neighborhoods, as it travels along West 6th, 7th and 11th Avenues, Cubit Barger Grove and Garfield and Charnelton Streets.
    [Show full text]
  • City of Elk Grove City Council Staff Report
    AGENDA ITEM NO. 10.5 CITY OF ELK GROVE CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT AGENDA TITLE: Receive a report on the Bus Rapid Transit Early Implementation Study (WAM007) findings and provide direction as appropriate MEETING DATE: September 11, 2019 PREPARED BY: Bob Morrison, Transit Project Manager Michael Costa, Transit System Manager DEPARTMENT HEAD: Robert Murdoch, P.E., Public Works Director/ City Engineer RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends that the City Council receive a report on the implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) / Express Bus (ExBus) service along the existing Route 110 corridor (WAM007), and direct staff to re- evaluate BRT/ ExBus service in 2025, after additional development occurs along the corridor. During this time, staff will further explore potential grant funding opportunities, as they become available and available resources permit, for infrastructure improvements along the Route 110 corridor that could be developed to support future higher frequency transit service. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: Based on the analysis conducted in the BRT/ExBus feasibility study, ridership forecasts and farebox recovery projections resulting from the implementation of either BRT/ExBus supporting infrastructure and/or ExBus service within the Route 110 corridor would not meet both the City’s adopted 2017 Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) service performance metrics and other relevant industry-standard targets in the near-term (FY 2020). However, should future land use development densities increase along the corridor (including the redevelopment
    [Show full text]
  • BRT Fact Sheet
    Transit d hat is BRT? i Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a high-quality, high-capacity bus service that travels on W exclusive lanes along designated routes. Often compared with the speediness and p comforts of a streetcar, BRT is not your typical bus. BRT buses can signal a green light at an upcoming intersection a to stay on schedule and reduce travel time by 15 to 30 percent. With pay-before-you-board stations and a boarding platform at the same level as the sidewalk, passengers benet from R quick and accessible boarding. At-grade boarding platforms are also cheaper to construct and maintain, and create eco- s nomic development opportunities. u BRT Station in Mexico City B How dierent is from a regular bus? On today’s buses, passengers BRT are frequently frustrated by tardy routes, overcrowded conditions, people ddling for exact change, or a eet of buses arriv- ing all at once. BRT is dierent. While a typical bus averages nine miles per hour, BRT’s limited stops improve operating speeds and allow buses on the system to travel up to 30 miles per hour. With accordion-styled, train-like designs, BRT travels with greater capacity and a higher level of service than a regular bus. Compared with aver- age buses, which can carry 1,000 passengers daily, BRT buses transport 4,000 passengers per day and are typically 20 feet longer. With sleek designs and modern technology, BRT com- BRT in Curitiba, Brazil bines the comforts and reliability of a train with the exibility and accessibility of a bus.
    [Show full text]
  • ITDP Awards Bronze Standard BRT Rating to Richmond GRTC Pulse Becomes 7Th World-Class Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in the U.S
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Merina Zeller mzeller@denterlein.com T: 617-482-0042 ITDP Awards Bronze Standard BRT Rating to Richmond GRTC Pulse Becomes 7th world-class bus rapid transit corridor in the U.S. Richmond, VA (June 25, 2019) – The Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP) today awarded the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) a Bronze Standard rating for its bus rapid transit (BRT) service, The Pulse BRT. The GRTC Pulse received 57.6 points on the BRT Scorecard, placing it among 10 verified BRT corridors in the United States, of which only seven hold the Bronze rating or better. “Richmond's leap from incremental bus transit improvements to bold infrastructure investment took leadership. For years to come, daily riders and former car drivers will appreciate more frequent bus service,” said Michael Kodransky, ITDP U.S Director. “The Pulse's 2.6-mile segregated segment is notable for connecting to downtown, a model for other cities pursuing similar projects. It is exceeding ridership projections and increasing access to jobs in the region along the entire 7+ mile route. We hope to see other cities pursue this kind of partnership to promote economic development, equity, and cleaner air.” “Richmond’s transit improvements present a best in-class roadmap for peer regions nationwide,” said Jason Miller, CEO of the Greater Washington Partnership. “Richmond is on its way to becoming a transit leader, furthering enhancing the Capital Region’s ability to attract and retain top talent. We should all be proud.” ITDP technical experts evaluated the GRTC Pulse against the BRT Scorecard, a tool for rating bus rapid transit based on international best practices to ensure that BRT systems more uniformly deliver world-class passenger experiences, significant economic benefits, and positive environmental impacts.
    [Show full text]