Volume 1: Detailed Definition of Alternatives Technical Report Durham-Orange County Corridor Alternatives Analysis JULY 2011 Prepared for: Triangle Transit Prepared by: U RS Team Detailed Definition of Alternatives Technical Report TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................... ES-1 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ................................................................................................................... ES-1 EVALUATION RESULTS ........................................................................................................................... ES-2 LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE (LPA) RECOMMENDATION ..................................................................... ES-5 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................1-1 2. Definition of Alternatives .........................................................................................................2-1 2.1. NO-BUILD ALTERNATIVE .............................................................................................................. 2-1 2.1.1. Roadway Improvements ........................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.2. Bus Network .............................................................................................................. 2-2 2.2. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE .................................................................. 2-4 2.2.1. Technology ................................................................................................................ 2-5 2.2.2. Alignment .................................................................................................................. 2-5 2.2.3. Bus Stops and Park and Ride Locations ..................................................................... 2-7 2.2.4. Bus Network .............................................................................................................. 2-7 2.2.5. Roadway Improvements ........................................................................................... 2-9 2.2.6. Transportation Demand Management (TDM) .......................................................... 2-9 2.3. LRT ALTERNATIVE ..................................................................................................................... 2-10 2.3.1. Technology .............................................................................................................. 2-10 2.3.2. Alignment ................................................................................................................ 2-10 2.3.3. Station Locations ..................................................................................................... 2-14 2.3.4. Bus Network ............................................................................................................ 2-18 2.4. BRT-HIGH ALTERNATIVE ............................................................................................................ 2-19 2.4.1. Technology .............................................................................................................. 2-20 2.4.2. Alignment ................................................................................................................ 2-20 2.4.3. Station Locations ..................................................................................................... 2-20 2.4.4. Bus Network ............................................................................................................ 2-20 2.5. BRT-LOW ALTERNATIVE ............................................................................................................ 2-22 2.5.1. Technology .............................................................................................................. 2-22 2.5.2. Alignment ................................................................................................................ 2-22 2.5.3. Station Locations ..................................................................................................... 2-24 2.5.4. Bus Network ............................................................................................................ 2-26 2.6. OPERATING PLANS .................................................................................................................... 2-26 2.6.1. Service Levels .......................................................................................................... 2-26 2.6.2. End-to-End Operating Characteristics ..................................................................... 2-26 2.6.3. Station-to-Station Distance, Speed, and Travel Time ............................................. 2-26 2.6.4. Fleet Size .................................................................................................................. 2-28 2.7. STORAGE YARD AND MAINTENANCE FACILITY ................................................................................ 2-28 3. Evaluation of Alternatives ........................................................................................................3-1 3.1. DETAILED EVALUATION CRITERIA ................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2. EVALUATION RESULTS .................................................................................................................. 3-2 3.2.1. Ridership .................................................................................................................... 3-2 3.2.2. Transportation Operations ...................................................................................... 3-11 3.2.3. Expansion Potential ................................................................................................. 3-16 Durham-Orange County Corridor Alternatives Analysis | July 2011 | i Detailed Definition of Alternatives Technical Report 3.2.4. Public and Agency Support ...................................................................................... 3-17 3.2.5. Economic Development Potential ........................................................................... 3-18 3.2.6. Environmental impacts ........................................................................................... 3-25 3.2.7. Cost .......................................................................................................................... 3-36 3.2.8. Summary of Evaluation Results ............................................................................... 3-41 4. References ..............................................................................................................................4-1 Appendix A – Station Evaluation Appendix B – Construction Impacts LIST OF TABLES Table ES-1 Summary of Evaluation Results for LRT, BRT-High, and BRT-Low Alternatives ..................... ES-3 Table 2-1 2035 LRTP Roadway Projects in Durham-Orange Corridor ........................................................ 2-1 Table 2-2 No-Build Alternative Bus Network ............................................................................................. 2-2 Table 2-3 TSM Alternative Bus Network Changes from the No-Build Alternative .................................... 2-8 Table 2-4 Proposed LRT Station Locations ............................................................................................... 2-15 Table 2-5 LRT Bus Network Changes from the No-Build Alternative ....................................................... 2-18 Table 2-6 BRT-Low Station Locations ....................................................................................................... 2-25 Table 2-7 Summary of Service Characteristics for Build Alternatives ...................................................... 2-26 Table 2-8 End-to-End Operating Characteristics ...................................................................................... 2-26 Table 2-9 Station-to-Station Operating Characteristics ........................................................................... 2-27 Table 2-10 Build Alternatives Fleet Characteristics ................................................................................. 2-28 Table 2-11 Summary of LRT Maintenance Sites ...................................................................................... 2-31 Table 3-1 Build Alternatives Evaluation Criteria ........................................................................................ 3-1 Table 3-2 Potential Forecasting Uncertainties with Triangle Regional Model .......................................... 3-4 Table 3-3 Forecast 2035 Daily Boardings ................................................................................................. 3-10 Table 3-4 Forecast 2035 Daily System-Wide Transit Trips ....................................................................... 3-11 Table 3-5 Traffic Impacts Rating .............................................................................................................. 3-15 Table 3-6 End-to-End Travel Times for Build Alternatives ....................................................................... 3-16 Table 3-7 Expansion Potential Ratings ..................................................................................................... 3-17 Table 3-8 Public and Stakeholder Support Rating ..................................................................................