Big Bear Modal Alternatives Analysis Final Report Prepared for: Prepared by: In association with: Cambridge Systematics, Inc. Sharon Greene + Associates URS Corporation December, 2011 Big Bear Modal Alternatives Analysis Final Report Prepared for: Southern California Association of Governments San Bernardino Associated Governments Inland Valley Development Agency Prepared by: In Association With: Cambridge Systematics, Inc. Sharon Greene + Associates URS Corporation December, 2011 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................ES-1 ES.1 Background..................................................................................................................................ES-1 ES.2 Opportunities and Constraints....................................................................................................ES-2 Demographics ..................................................................................................................................ES-2 Travel Conditions .............................................................................................................................ES-2 Moving People with an Alternative System.....................................................................................ES-3 Physical Factors................................................................................................................................ES-3 Right of Way Issues..........................................................................................................................ES-4 ES.3 Technologies................................................................................................................................ES-4 ES.4 Alignment Alternatives................................................................................................................ES-5 ES.5 Evaluation Results .......................................................................................................................ES-8 ES.6 Financial Analysis.......................................................................................................................ES-10 ES.7 Key Findings...............................................................................................................................ES-13 Transportation System Constraints ...............................................................................................ES-14 Technology Issues ..........................................................................................................................ES-14 Corridor Alignment Considerations ...............................................................................................ES-14 Financial Considerations ................................................................................................................ES-15 ES.8 Recommendations ....................................................................................................................ES-15 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background of Project.........................................................................................................................1 1.2 Location, Character of Study Area .....................................................................................................1 1.3 Rationale for Studying a Non-Roadway Transportation Mode..........................................................3 2. BACKGROUND CONDITIONS ....................................................................................................................7 2.1 Demographics .....................................................................................................................................7 2.1.1 Population and Housing...............................................................................................................7 2.1.2 Housing Units...............................................................................................................................7 2.1.3 Employment................................................................................................................................9 Big Bear Modal i Final Report Alternatives Analysis December, 2011 2.1.4 Big Bear Tax Receipts ...................................................................................................................9 2.2 Existing Roadway System.................................................................................................................11 2.2.1 Existing Streets and Highways ............................................................................................11 2.2.2 Traffic Congestion on Big Bear Access Routes ..........................................................................13 2.3 Transit System..................................................................................................................................14 2.3.1 MARTA ................................................................................................................................14 2.4 Travel Patterns..................................................................................................................................20 2.4.1 Origin-Destination Patterns ......................................................................................................20 2.4.2 Key Travel Generators...............................................................................................................21 2.4.3 Trends in Daily Traffic Volumes.................................................................................................21 2.4.4 Project Traffic Counts................................................................................................................24 2.4.5 Accidents and Safety Issues ......................................................................................................45 2.4.6 Road Closures............................................................................................................................46 2.4.7 Sewer Usage..............................................................................................................................48 2.4.8 Wind Conditions........................................................................................................................50 2.4.9 Winter Survey............................................................................................................................52 2.5 Shipping and Freight Movement......................................................................................................58 2.5.1 Data Collection..........................................................................................................................58 2.5.2 Traffic Summary by Day ......................................................................................................59 2.5.3 Traffic Summary by Time of Travel .....................................................................................63 2.5.4 Traffic Summary by Commodity .........................................................................................63 2.6 Topographic and Geological Conditions ..........................................................................................65 2.6.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................65 2.6.2 Landslide Risk............................................................................................................................65 2.6.3 Earthquake Faults .....................................................................................................................67 2.6.4 Liquefaction Risk Areas .............................................................................................................69 2.6.5 Flood Plains ...............................................................................................................................71 2.6.6 Rivers, Streams and Waterways................................................................................................73 2.7 Right-of-Way ....................................................................................................................................75 2.8 System Opportunities and Constraints ............................................................................................76 2.8.1 Demographics ...........................................................................................................................76 2.8.2 Travel Conditions ......................................................................................................................76 Big Bear Modal ii Final Report Alternatives Analysis December, 2011 2.8.3 Moving People with an Alternative System..............................................................................77 2.8.4 Physical Factors.........................................................................................................................77 2.8.5 Right of Way Issues .............................................................................................................78 2.8.6 Financial Feasibility .............................................................................................................78