What Does a Successful Bus Rapid Transit System in Madison Mean to You?

Madison East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Planning Study

Public Meeting 1: Kickoff Open House

Madison Central Library Room 302 | December 12, 2018 | 6:00-8:00 PM BRT CONTEXT Past + Present Isthmus Freeway Plan (1955) Metro facility needs

Madison Is Growing Madison approved 14,000 dwelling units from 2014-2017 alone. Madison Dane County 2000 208,000 427,000 2017 255,200 536,000 2050 292,500 638,000 2050* 355,000 <1,000,000 *If we grew at similar rate as from 1990 to 2017 Employment

200,000 jobs in 2010 +45,000 projected for 2050 +10,000 in Isthmus Our situation – morning rush hour

Capacity 3 lns x 2000 vph/ln x 0.55 G/C = 3,300 vph

Demand 50,000 vpd x 12% Pkhr x 60% DD = 3,600 vph

10,000 more jobs by 2050 10,000 x 0.7 trips/pk hr x 30% on East Wash = 2,100 vph ~ 2 more lanes in each direction???

A Different Path

38 Buses Capacity 3 lns x 2000 vph/ln x 0.55 G/C = 3,300 vph Capacity of 1,500 people/hour

Demand 50,000 vpd x 12% Pkhr x 60% DD = 3,600 vph

10,000 more jobs by 2050 10,000 x 0.7 trips/Pkhr x 30% on East Wash = 2,100 vph Introductions | City and MATPB Staff

 Tom Lynch, Director of Transportation, City of Madison  David Trowbridge, BRT Project Manager, City of Madison  Mike Cechvala, City of Madison  Chuck Kamp, Metro Transit  Mick Rusch, Metro Transit  Bill Schaefer, MATPB Introductions | Consultant Team Tonight’s Agenda

 Presentation (30 minutes) • What is this project and how did we get here? • What is BRT? • What can BRT mean for Madison? • What comes next? • Q&A  Visioning Discussion(30 minutes) Ground Rules

 Respect your neighbors’ time and perspectives.  Focus your input on the future BRT design.  Ask clarifying questions as we go (e.g., explain a term or repeat a statement).  Save other questions for the Q&A – we may be planning to answer them! PROJECT OVERVIEW Goals, Timeline, Key Steps BRT in a Nutshell

 Branded stations and buses  Direct routes/fewer stops  Frequent, all-day service (every 10-15 minutes)  Transit signal priority  Off-board fare payment  Bus-only lanes where feasible Madison BRT Project Goals

 Develop a plan for Madison’s first BRT route  Build community support  Identify local funding sources  Set the stage to apply for Federal funding Key Steps

1. Develop initial BRT route options 2. Evaluate options (public engagement, engineering) 3. Select preferred BRT route 4. Refine the details • Beginning and end points • Route through Downtown • Station locations • Potential priority treatments (dedicated lanes, special signals, etc.) Timeline

Phase I Phase II Phase III Start Federal •Winter 2018-2019 •Spring/Summer •Fall 2019 Funding •Determine 2019 •Select Locally Application Potential Options •Analyze and Preferred Route Process Refine Potential Options •2020-2024+

Public Engagement throughout Project Public Engagement Opportunities

 Four Public Meetings: 1. Public Kickoff Meeting – Today! 2. Preliminary Alternatives Workshop – Spring 2019 3. Final Alternative Workshop – Summer 2019 4. Station Design Charrette – Fall 2019  Two Public Surveys: • Initial Public Survey – December 5th 2018 to February 3rd 2019 • www.madisonbrt.com • Route Preference Survey – Spring 2019 Public Engagement Opportunities

 Focused Engagement • Focus groups • Business roundtables • Mobile engagement stations • Neighborhood and other small group meetings  Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) • City of Madison and Metro Transit • *Facebook event pages*  Project Website: www.madisonbrt.com BACKGROUND Process and Takeaways from the 2013 BRT Planning Study Rail/Transit Studies: Recent History Previous Rail/ High Capacity Transit Studies

 1980-81 Dane County Transit Technology Corridor Study (DCRPC)

 1985-86 Dane County Transit Priority Corridor Study (DCRPC)

 1990-92 Light Rail Transit Corridor Study (C. Madison)

 1996 Study to Evaluate Commuter Rail Implementation (Dane Co)

 1998 Dane County Commuter Rail Feasibility Study (Dane Co)

 1999-2003 Transport 2020 Commuter Rail Alternatives Analysis (City/County/WisDOT)

 2005-2008 Transport 2020 Commuter Rail Preliminary Engineering/EIS (City/County/WisDOT)

 2011-13 Bus Rapid Transit Preliminary Feasibility Study (MATPB)

 → 2018-19 Bus Rapid Transit East-West Planning Study (C. Madison)

Public Transit Work Trips (by Census Tract) 26 Takeaways from the Madison Transit Corridor Study MATPB (MPO), SRF Consulting Group

 - Completed May 2013 • 3 public meetings/workshops • Initial route screening • BRT corridor concepts • Benefits and costs 27 Takeaways from the Madison Transit Corridor Study MATPB (MPO), SRF Consulting Group

 Initial route screening 28 BRT Routes in 2013 Study BRT Characteristics

East: • 1.6 M annual riders in 2035 • US 151/East Washington already reconstructed West: • Easier to Implement • 3.3 M annual riders in 2035 • Moderate operating costs (frequency increase) • University Ave. reconstruct 2021 • Under $4.0 M/Mile • Easier to implement • Low operating costs (service replacement) • $4.5 M/Mile 29 BRT Routes in 2013 Study BRT Characteristics

North: • 1.3 M annual riders in 2035 • Transfer point and Yahara River challenges • More difficult to implement • High operating costs (new service) • $6.5 M/Mile

South: • 2.4 M annual riders in 2035 • US 151/Park Street needs reconstruct, not scheduled by WisDOT • Longer-term improvement possible • Moderate operating costs (service restructuring) • $5.5-10.0 M/Mile Corridor within which the Phase 1 project will be identified: A regional strategy with a branded package could include:

Imagine Madison Comp Plan Service to 1101 EW and Satellite Facility Sun Prairie Transit Priority Measures Park and ride Facility Bus Rapid Transit Increased Service to neighboring communities frequency Park and ride Intercity Bus Terminal Electric Buses

JobRide PlusPark and ride Facility

Increased frequency

Park and ride JobRide Plus JobRide Plus OVERVIEW OF BRT What is BRT? Reliability of rail with flexibility and cost-effectiveness of bus

Design tools: • Potential exclusive bus lane(s) • Traffic Signal Priority (TSP) • Limited stops • Enhanced stations • Real time bus arrival signs • High capacity boarding Design outcomes: • Increased comfort and reliability • Shorter travel time and more frequent buses • Higher ridership, more choice riders • Improved system efficiency

BRT Supports Complete Streets: Cars BRT Supports Complete Streets: Transit BRT Supports Complete Streets: Bikes BRT Supports Complete Streets: Peds BRT Supports Complete Streets: Peds BRT in other Cities Bus Rapid Transit Service is Rolling Along San Antonio Express News, March 21, 2014 SAN ANTONIO — VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Prímo route was designed to attract “choice” riders — those who don’t depend on public transit but opt to use it, perhaps because they share a vehicle, want to save money or help the environment. It is the third most used route in the bus system, VIA’s Deputy CEO said.

MAX Bus Rapid Transit Service Celebrates 10th Birthday in Kansas City Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, July 23, 2015 KANSAS CITY, Missouri –There have been more than 13 million boardings on Main Street MAX since it started operating in 2005. Ridership on Main Street MAX last year was 43 percent higher than it was in MAX’s first full year of operation in 2006. BRT in other Cities Jobs Doubled Along Euclid Avenue After Completion of HealthLine: CSU Study The Plain Dealer, January 24, 2017 CLEVELAND, Ohio – The number of jobs nearly doubled along Euclid Avenue following completion of the bus rapid transit HealthLine in 2008, according a new study released by the Center for Population Dynamics at Cleveland State University.

The First Coast Flyer is an Impressive Addition to Transportation Roster The Florida Times-Union, April 14, 2017 JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Two of the five planned First Coast Flyer routes have been launched over the past two years. The First Coast Flyer includes free WiFi service and bold bus colors, and is the key to shaping Jacksonville’s transportation future. BRT AND EXISTING TRANSPORTATION How does Madison BRT fit into the existing Metro system? East - West Features East - West Features East - West Features North - Warner Park South Northside Town Center Shabazz HS

Northgate Mall Features Relocate North TP

Hospitals

Villager Mall

South TP

Hatchery Hill BRT and Local Transit BRT and Local Transit

Transit Advantages BUS Bus Only Lanes ONLY

Mineral Point Road

ONLY BUS

University Avenue and Johnson Street

Add eastbound bus lane?

Bus Queue Jump National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)

4 The bus lane gets its own green signal before other vehicles.

3 The traffic signal detects when buses are present.

There is enough storage for buses and 2 right-turning cars. 1 Buses have a lane to pass stopped cars. Benefits of BRT

 Improved mobility  Future growth and development  Improved access to employment and education  Increased quality of life  More sustainable community NEXT STEPS Overview of the Implementation Process BRT Implementation Overview

 Funding sources: federal and local  Obstacles and opportunities: lessons learned What is Small Starts?

 Part of the FTA’s Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program  Projects from around the country compete in annual funding cycles  Typically awards 60-80% of the Federal Share total capital cost Non-Federal Share

Total  CIG funded… Capital Costs • $2.18 billion in FY 2016 $$$ • $2.5 billion in FY 2017 FTA Small Starts Evaluation Criteria

 Rating scale for each criterion: • High • Medium-High • Medium • Medium-Low • Low

Projects must receive an average of Medium rating for both the Project Justification and Local Financial Commitment FTA Small Starts Evaluation Criteria

Existing conditions (Pop. Density, Employment, Affordable Housing, minor CBD parking and pedestrian accessibility)

Future development (Plans and Policies)

Ridership focus on transit-dependent

Balance of Cost & Ridership Capital and Operating Costs

Benefits compared to cost (Capital and Operating)

New riders Community Collaboration  Make the transit project about the broader context • Transit as a community builder  Design to support Madison’s vision for growth  Hear fears, anticipate resistance  Positively reframe anticipated challenges • Demonstrate project benefits by constituency • Residents • Property and business owners • Transit riders • Drivers Project Design and Engineering

 Establish partnerships early on • Focus project on achieving multiple priorities • Nurture relationships at all levels  Make full use of BRT’s flexibility / scalability • Achieve operational needs while minimizing adverse impacts • Implement today with the long-term in mind  Start early to coordinate with public and private engineering agencies • Negotiate what space will be needed for the BRT Cost and Funding  Start early to secure the local share of project funding • Can be a combination of state, regional, and local dollars • Realistic capital and O&M costs are imperative  Financial Plan is extremely important • FTA’s funding recommendation driven by a number of factors, including: • The “readiness” of the project for capital funding • The project’s “overall” rating (Medium or better) • Geographic equity (across the country) • Availability of FTA funds balanced against projects already in Project Development Thank You!

 www.madisonbrt.com  @cityofmadison  @mymetrobus  Project Contacts: • David Trowbridge, Project Manager, [email protected], (608) 267-1148 • Zia Brucaya, Public Engagement, [email protected], (608) 819-6566 Headlines Exercise (15 minutes)

What does a successful bus rapid transit system in Madison mean to you?

Tell us what headline you would most like to see in the news five years after Madison’s first BRT line is built.