Alternatives Analysis Report November 2019 Final Prepared for: Prepared by: Pierce Transit Pacific Avenue/SR 7 Alternatives Analysis Report Table of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Corridor Description ............................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Planning Context (Previous Studies/Plans) ............................................................................ 3 1.2.1 Puget Sound Regional Council Existing Plans and Policy .................................................... 3 1.2.2 Pierce County ................................................................................................................... 4 1.2.3 Tacoma ............................................................................................................................ 5 1.3 Alternatives Analysis Process and Decision-Making............................................................... 8 1.4 Report Organization ............................................................................................................. 9 2 Existing and Future Conditions ...................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Transit ................................................................................................................................ 10 2.1.1 Bus Routes and Key Transfers to Other Modes ............................................................... 10 2.1.2 Transit Ridership by Stop ................................................................................................ 15 2.1.3 Transit Travel Time by Time of Day ................................................................................. 17 2.1.4 Transit Service Reliability (On-Time Performance) .......................................................... 19 2.1.5 Estimated 2040 Ridership ............................................................................................... 19 2.1.6 Future Transit Travel Time and Reliability ....................................................................... 20 2.2 Bicycle and Pedestrian ........................................................................................................ 20 2.3 Traffic ................................................................................................................................. 24 2.3.1 Existing Street System Jurisdictions ................................................................................ 24 2.3.2 Future Traffic Volumes – Without Project Conditions ..................................................... 31 2.3.3 Traffic Congestion .......................................................................................................... 32 2.4 Land Use ............................................................................................................................. 32 2.4.1 Tacoma .......................................................................................................................... 34 2.4.2 Key Destinations and Community Centers ...................................................................... 37 3 Project Purpose and Need ............................................................................................................. 41 3.1 Purpose and Need .............................................................................................................. 41 ii 3.2 Goals and Performance Measures ...................................................................................... 43 4 Mode Evaluation ........................................................................................................................... 47 4.1 Evaluation .......................................................................................................................... 47 4.1.1 Travel Modes.................................................................................................................. 47 4.1.2 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 48 4.1.3 Goal 1 Results ................................................................................................................. 48 4.1.4 Goal 2 Results ................................................................................................................. 48 4.1.5 Goal 3 Results ................................................................................................................. 49 4.1.6 Goal 4 Results ................................................................................................................. 49 4.1.7 Goal 5 Results ................................................................................................................. 49 4.1.8 Goal 6 Results ................................................................................................................. 50 4.1.9 Goal 7 Results ................................................................................................................. 50 4.1.10 Goal 8 Results ................................................................................................................. 50 4.1.11 Goal 9 Results ................................................................................................................. 51 4.1.12 Goal 10 Results ............................................................................................................... 51 4.1.13 Goal 11 Results ............................................................................................................... 52 4.1.14 Goal 12 Results ............................................................................................................... 52 4.2 Decision .............................................................................................................................. 53 5 Service Alternatives Evaluation ..................................................................................................... 55 5.1 Alternatives Considered...................................................................................................... 55 5.1.1 Alternative 1A ................................................................................................................ 55 5.1.2 Alternative 1B................................................................................................................. 55 5.1.3 Alternative 2A ................................................................................................................ 55 5.1.4 Alternative 2B................................................................................................................. 55 5.2 Evaluation of Alternatives ................................................................................................... 55 5.2.1 Ridership Estimates ........................................................................................................ 55 5.2.2 Operating Costs .............................................................................................................. 57 5.2.3 Access ............................................................................................................................ 59 5.2.4 Service Complexity ......................................................................................................... 62 5.2.5 Capital Costs ................................................................................................................... 63 5.2.6 Cost-Effectiveness .......................................................................................................... 64 5.2.7 Support for Redevelopment ........................................................................................... 66 5.2.8 Evaluation Overview ....................................................................................................... 66 iii 5.3 Decision .............................................................................................................................. 67 6 Vehicle Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 68 6.1 Vehicle Characteristics ........................................................................................................ 68 6.2 Propulsion Options ............................................................................................................. 70 6.3 Procurement Considerations .............................................................................................. 72 6.4 Decision .............................................................................................................................. 73 7 Conceptual Designs ....................................................................................................................... 74 7.1 Mixed Traffic: Right Lane .................................................................................................... 74 7.2 Mixed Traffic: Left Lane ...................................................................................................... 75 7.3 Business Access and Transit (BAT) Lane .............................................................................. 76 7.4 Median Lane: Right-Side Boarding ...................................................................................... 77