I-70 Corridor Transit Alternatives Analysis July 2007 I-70 TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS TABLE OF CONTENTS JULY 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS page 1.0 Purpose and Need..................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Proposed Action................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Description of I-70 Corridor............................................................................... 1-3 1.2.1 Land Use and Activity Centers.............................................................. 1-3 1.2.2 Population and Employment ................................................................. 1-4 1.2.3 Travel Market ........................................................................................ 1-7 1.3 Project History................................................................................................... 1-9 1.4 Transportation on the I-70 Corridor................................................................... 1-10 1.4.1 Roadways ............................................................................................. 1-10 1.4.2 Public Transit ........................................................................................ 1-12 1.4.3 Railroads............................................................................................... 1-14 1.5 Transportation Problems and Needs ................................................................ 1-14 1.5.1 Congestion and Decreasing Mobility..................................................... 1-15 1.5.2 Level and Quality of Transit Service ..................................................... 1-21 1.5.3 Limited Access to the Transportation System....................................... 1-22 1.5.4 Need for Sustainable Development ...................................................... 1-22 1.5.5 Effect on Air Quality .............................................................................. 1-26 1.5.6 Financial Constraints............................................................................. 1-27 1.6 Planning Context............................................................................................... 1-28 1.6.1 FTA Planning and Project Development Process................................. 1-28 2.0 Transit Alternatives .................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction....................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 TSM Alternative................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2.1 TSM Alternative Facilities...................................................................... 2-1 2.2.2 TSM Alternative Express Routes .......................................................... 2-3 2.2.3 TSM Alternative Local Routes............................................................... 2-3 2.2.4 TSM Alternative Summary .................................................................... 2-4 2.3 Express Bus Alternative.................................................................................... 2-4 2.3.1 Express Bus Alternative Facilities......................................................... 2-4 2.3.2 Express Bus Alternative Routes............................................................ 2-6 2.3.3 Express Bus Alternative Local Routes.................................................. 2-7 2.3.4 Express Bus Alternative Summary........................................................ 2-7 2.4 Commuter Rail Alternative................................................................................ 2-8 2.4.1 Commuter Rail Alternative Description ................................................. 2-8 2.4.2 Commuter Rail Alternative Station Locations........................................ 2-8 2.4.3 Commuter Rail Alternative Service Concept......................................... 2-11 2.4.4 Commuter Rail Alternative Connectivity................................................ 2-12 2.4.5 Commuter Rail Alternative Equipment.................................................. 2-12 2.4.5.1 Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) .................................................... 2-13 2.4.5.2 Locomotive Hauled, Bi-Level Passenger Rail Cars .................. 2-14 2.4.5.3 Comparisons of Technologies .................................................. 2-15 2.4.6 Commuter Rail Alternative Supporting Infrastructure............................ 2-15 2.4.6.1 Stations ..................................................................................... 2-15 PAGE TOC-1 I-70 TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS TABLE OF CONTENTS JULY 2007 2.4.6.2 Track and Signal ....................................................................... 2-15 2.4.6.3 Rail/Highway Grade Crossings ................................................. 2-16 2.4.6.4 Layover Facility ......................................................................... 2-16 2.4.6.5 Repair and Maintenance Facility............................................... 2-16 3.0 Downtown Commuter Rail Terminal Evaluation ........................................................ 3-1 3.1 Potential Terminal Locations............................................................................. 3-1 3.2 Kansas City Union Station ................................................................................ 3-1 3.3 Riverfront (Third Street and Grand Avenue) ..................................................... 3-3 3.4 Recommended Terminal Location .................................................................... 3-6 4.0 Transit Alternatives Costs .......................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Bus Capital and Operating Costs...................................................................... 4-1 4.1.1 Assumptions for Vehicle and Related Facilities’ Capital Costs................ 4-1 4.1.2 Assumptions for Annual Bus O&M Costs ................................................ 4-1 4.1.3 Alternatives Bus Cost Estimates.............................................................. 4-2 4.1.3.1 TSM Alternative........................................................................... 4-2 4.1.3.2 Express Bus Alternative .............................................................. 4-2 4.1.3.3 Commuter Rail Alternative Bus Service ...................................... 4-3 4.1.4 Alternatives Bus Cost Estimates Summary ............................................. 4-3 4.2 Commuter Rail Capital and Operating Costs.................................................... 4-5 4.2.1 Track and Signals Upgrade Costs ........................................................... 4-5 4.2.1.1 KCS-Proposed Capital Improvements ........................................ 4-5 4.2.1.2 Potential Phasing Plan ................................................................ 4-10 4.2.2 Non-Track and Non-Signal Capital Costs ................................................ 4-13 4.2.2.1 Station Capital Costs................................................................... 4-13 4.2.2.2 Layover Facility Costs ................................................................. 4-14 4.2.2.3 Locomotive Hauled, Bi-Level Passenger Rail Cars..................... 4-14 4.2.2.4 Total Non-Track and Non-Signal Capital Costs Summary .......... 4-15 4.2.3 Total Rail Capital Costs ........................................................................... 4-16 4.2.4 Operations and Maintenance Costs......................................................... 4-16 4.3 Alternatives Cost Estimate Summary................................................................ 4-18 5.0 Ridership Forecasts................................................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Introduction....................................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Aggregate Rail Ridership Forecasting Model.................................................... 5-1 5.2.1 Overview of the Aggregate Rail Ridership Forecasting Model................. 5-1 5.2.2 Application of the ARRF Model to the I-70 Corridor................................. 5-2 5.2.3 Summary.................................................................................................. 5-10 5.3 Ridership Forecasts.......................................................................................... 5-11 5.3.1 Overview and Summary of Key Assumptions .......................................... 5-11 5.3.2 Assumptions for Commuter Rail Level of Service.................................... 5-13 5.3.3 Discussion of Model Runs........................................................................ 5-14 5.3.4 Summary.................................................................................................. 5-16 6.0 Transit Alternatives Evaluation .................................................................................. 6-1 6.1 Comparison to Alternatives............................................................................... 6-1 6.1.1 Ridership.................................................................................................. 6-1 6.1.2 Cost.......................................................................................................... 6-2 6.1.3 Purpose and Need ................................................................................... 6-2 6.2 New Starts Project Evaluation Process............................................................