Individual Station Report Waterbury URBITRANR EPORT CONTENTS: Stakeholder Interview Customer Opinion Survey Parking Inventory & Utilization Station Condition Inspection Lease Narrative and Synopsis Station Operations Review Station Financial Review URBITRAN Prepared to Connecticut Department of Transportation S ubmitted by Urbitran Associates, Inc. July 2003 June 2003 June 2003 June 2003 June 2003 June 2003 June 2003 Stakeholder Interview URBITRANR EPORT URBITRAN Prepared to Connecticut Department of Transportation S ubmitted by Urbitran Associates, Inc. Waterbury Branch All communities except for Naugatuck were represented during the stakeholder process, although Waterbury was represented by the Chamber of Commerce and Ansonia by the Valley Regional Planning Agency. Waterbury The Chamber of Commerce was designated by the Mayor as the representative for these discussions. The first issue that was raised concerned the parking lot, and the lack of clear directions regarding what is city parking for the station and what is SNET parking. The lot itself is unpaved and poorly marked. There is no lease between the City and CDOT for the station or parking lot, and the City has no responsibilities regarding them. The Chamber representatives stated that they could not speak to policy issues and the City’s attitude towards the station or rail service except in general terms. In that regard, the basic desire is to have more service on the Waterbury branch, and to construct a new intermodal terminal for buses and rail in the city. There is a study underway for such a facility, and site locations as they impact on local businesses and the transit network are currently under review. This is a Naugatuck Valley Development Corporation study. The vision is to use this project to stimulate economic development in the immediate area, as well to form a better link between Waterbury and the entire Valley region. On the whole, the community has little awareness of the existing rail service. The community feels that CDOT has little interest in rail service on the Waterbury branch, and this is reflected in the level of service, condition of the station, and lack of marketing. At the same time, the City sees rail as a significant underutilized resource which, if developed properly, could stimulate the economy of the city and region. Beacon Falls Beacon Falls is a small station on the Waterbury Branch with a high platform, three shelters, and a state parking lot. The town has no financial interest in the station and spends nothing on it, although they do plow snow from the lot in the winter. There is no lease with the town so there are no requirements by CDOT. At the same time, the First Selectman reported that the town is not happy with the station, and as people are moving in to the community who commute to Norwalk and Stamford, the feeling is that there needs to be more service and better stations on the line. The Town wants a better sheltered waiting area, preferably an enclosed station building. The Town did not know why a portion of the lot has been partitioned off, and said that they have received customer complaints about parking as a result. Parking is free. As far as the future, the Town would like to see the lot paved and striped, better lighting, and the construction of a small building, which they would be willing to maintain. They would also like to be able to sublease a concession stand in the building. 29 Parking Inventory and Utilization URBITRANR EPORT URBITRAN Prepared to Connecticut Department of Transportation S ubmitted by Urbitran Associates, Inc. Task 2:Technical Memorandum Parking Inventory and Utilization Waterbury Line Waterbury The Waterbury Rail Station has a surface lot with 156 spaces. The parking spaces are designated in two categories: daily and handicapped. There are 150 daily spaces and 6 handicapped spaces available at the lot. The line markings are faint at the station, with the exception of the handicapped spaces. The usage rate was 16%, with no utilization of handicapped spaces. The overall usage rate may be misleading; however, as numerous vehicles parked in a separate area may not be owned by rail users. Parking Area Ownership All of the parking at the Waterbury Rail Station is owned by the State of Connecticut. Figure 33 maps the general location of the parking area and station building at the Waterbury Station. The image quality is poorer than other stations’ imagery so the Waterbury Station map is not zoomed in at the same level as the other stations. An additional color photograph is included at a higher zoom to get a better look at the parking situation in Waterbury. Fee Structure There is no charge for parking at the Waterbury Rail Station. Table 33 presents specific information on parking at the Waterbury Rail Station. Table 33: Waterbury Rail Station Parking Capacity and Utilization Type Capacity Vehicle Count Utilization Ownership Permit 0 0 N/A Daily 150 24 16.0% state Handicap 6 0 0.0% TOTAL PARKING 156 24 15.4% Connecticut Department of Transportation 77 Task 2:Technical Memorandum Parking Inventory and Utilization Figure 33: Waterbury Rail Station Parking Map Different Angle Rail Governance Study Connecticut Department of Transportation Waterbury Station Station Building State-Owned Parking Area Municipality-Owned Parking Area Privately-Owned Parking Area Aerial Photo: UConn MAGIC GIS Connecticut Department of Transportation 78 Station Condition Inspection URBITRANR EPORT URBITRAN Prepared to Connecticut Department of Transportation S ubmitted by Urbitran Associates, Inc. CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONDITION INSPECTION FOR THE WATERBURY STATION GENERAL RECOMMENDATION 3 PREPARED BY: URBITRAN ASSOCIATES, INC. DATE: 7/1/02 CONN. DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION STATION INSPECTION INSPECTION RATING SCALE The following rating scale is used for inspections: 1- Totally deteriorated, or in failed condition. 2- Serious deterioration, or not functioning as originally designed. 3- Minor deterioration, but functioning as originally designed. 4- New condition. No deterioration. 5- Not applicable. 6- Condition and/or existence unknown. STATION: Waterbury CONN. DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION LINE: Waterbury STATION INSPECTION REPORT INSPECTION DATE: 11-17-01 SHEET 1 OF 19 INSPECTION AGENCY / FIRM: UA INSPECTORS: JFS, WV, RGW WEATHER: Sunny PLATFORM ELEMENT CANOPY SUPER- FOUNDATIONS STRUCTURE SPAN NO. RAILING RAILING PAINT STAIRS JOINTS TOP OF PLATFORM BENCHES SIGN / BILLBOARD WARNNING STRIP PLATFORM EDGE RUBBING BOARD PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL COLUMNS OVERALL COLUMN BASE @ PLATFORM ROOF FRAMING ELEMENTS ROOFING MATERIAL DOUBLE TEE PIER FOOTING EROSION / SCOUR 123456789101112131415161718 I 45444444354444 4 4 4 4 II45544454354444 4 4 4 4 III45442434354444 4 4 4 4 IV45544555555555 4 4 4 4 V 45544555555555 4 4 4 4 VI45544555555555 4 4 4 4 STATION: Waterbury CONN. DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION LINE: Waterbury STATION INSPECTION REPORT INSPECTION DATE: 11-17-01 SHEET 2 OF 19 INSPECTION AGENCY / FIRM: UA INSPECTORS: JFS, WV, RGW WEATHER: Sunny PARKING ELEMENTS QUADRANT # 1 TYPE OF SURFACE: asphalt x PAVED; GRAVEL; DIRT; OTHER (DESCRIBE) CONDITION OF PAVED SURFACE: 4 CONDITION OF STRIPING: 5 CONDITION OF BASIN / DRAINS / ETC: 5 ( FOR LOCATION SEE SHEET: ) SIGNAGE: 5 FENCE AND GUARDRAIL: 5 LANDSCAPE: 2 SIDEWALK: 5 CURB: 5 QUADRANT # 2 TYPE OF SURFACE: asphalt x PAVED; GRAVEL; DIRT; OTHER (DESCRIBE) CONDITION OF PAVED SURFACE: 3 CONDITION OF STRIPING: 2 CONDITION OF BASIN / DRAINS / ETC: 2 ( FOR LOCATION SEE SHEET: see sketch ) SIGNAGE: 4 FENCE AND GUARDRAIL: 4 LANDSCAPE: 3 SIDEWALK: 5 CURB : 3 STATION: Waterbury CONN. DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION LINE: Waterbury STATION INSPECTION REPORT INSPECTION DATE: 11-17-01 SHEET 3 OF 19 INSPECTION AGENCY / FIRM: UA INSPECTORS: JFS, WV, RGW WEATHER: Sunny PARKING ELEMENTS QUADRANT # 3 TYPE OF SURFACE: asphalt x PAVED; GRAVEL; DIRT; OTHER (DESCRIBE) CONDITION OF PAVED SURFACE: 4 CONDITION OF STRIPING: 5 CONDITION OF BASIN / DRAINS / ETC: 2 ( FOR LOCATION SEE SHEET: see sketch ) SIGNAGE: 4 FENCE AND GUARDRAIL: 4 LANDSCAPE: 3 SIDEWALK: 5 CURB: 3 QUADRANT # TYPE OF SURFACE: PAVED; GRAVEL; DIRT; OTHER (DESCRIBE) CONDITION OF PAVED SURFACE: CONDITION OF STRIPING: CONDITION OF BASIN / DRAINS / ETC: ( FOR LOCATION SEE SHEET: ) SIGNAGE: FENCE AND GUARDRAIL: LANDSCAPE: SIDEWALK: CURB : STATION: Waterbury CONN. DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION LINE: New Haven-Waterbury Branch STATION INSPECTION REPORT INSPECTION DATE : February 11, 2002SHEET 4 OF 19 INSPECTION AGENCY / FIRM: Parsons Brinckerhoff INSPECTORS: Jim Connell & Dave Lang TIME OF INSPECTION: A.M. WEATHER: Cold with Light Rain PLATFORM --- LIGHTING Span Fixture TypeManufacturer Model Rating Support Estimated Visual Condition Number Number Condition Age/Life(y/y) all HID-HPS Holophane unknown 3 3 5/ 20 minor deterioration Remarks: A typical section of the platform was measured at the location indicated and found to average 6.49 fc. PLATFORM --- LIGHTING LEVELS (fc) TRACKS----{ see remarks see remarks avg see remarks see remarks see remarks 6.49 NORTHBOUND/SOUTHBOUND PLATFORM STATION: Waterbury CONN. DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION LINE: New Haven-Waterbury Branch STATION INSPECTION REPORT INSPECTION DATE : February 11, 2002SHEET 5 OF 19 INSPECTION AGENCY / FIRM: Parsons Brinckerhoff INSPECTORS: Jim Connell & Dave Lang TIME OF INSPECTION: A.M. WEATHER: Cold with Light Rain PLATFORM --- SERVICE Voltage Rating (V) n/a Type of 3 phase connection Delta n/a Wye n/a Method of Entrance Overhead n/a Underground X Rating of Main Breaker (A) n/a Origin of Service Pole n/a Transformer