TRANSIT-TO-PARKS March 1, 2018 Task 3 Deliverable Transit to Parks Strategic Plan - Case Studies A 1 Introduction Overview of study, approach, cases included, organization of document, and key takeaways p. 1 2 3 Case Studies: Case Studies: Local / Regional Other / National Shuttle / bus programs within Systems and programs outside Los Angeles County of Los Angeles County p. 7 p. 19 4 5 Summary Matrix Resources / Links Summary matrix that describes Collection of relevant reference and evaluates each program documents and links used during along with a series of indicators the study p. 42 p. 46 “Fifteen INTRODUCTION The goal of the Transit to Parks Shuttles and Buses examples Strategic Plan (Plan) is to provide Shuttle / Bus examples include: decision-making guidance on how 1. The Fish Canyon Falls Shuttle are included to better connect people to parks (Duarte, CA) and open space via transit across 2. The Chantry Flat Shuttle the County. This is no small feat; (Arcadia, CA) from LA most of our neighborhoods are not 3. The Topanga Beach Bus (Los built around nearby local parks, and Angeles Beaches, CA) County desirable open space is often miles 4. The DASH to the Griffith away from people’s homes and Observatory (Los Angeles, workplaces. As one of the first steps CA) and further in identifying appropriate access 5. Dodgers Stadium Express strategies for the County and for (Los Angeles, CA) afield, which LA Metro, the Planning team has 6. The ParkLINK Shuttle (Santa compiled this study of 15 examples Monica Mountains, CA) from LA County and further afield, 7. The Muir Woods Shuttle represent a which represent a wide range of (Marin, CA) transit-to-parks access solutions. 8. The Columbia Gorge Express wide range (Portland, OR) The majority of programs studied 9. The Maroon Bells Guided Bus of transit-to- are shuttles and buses that link Tours (Aspen, CO) people to parks from a consolidated 10. The Hanging Lakes Shuttle parking area or a transit stop. Some (Glenwood Canyon, CO) parks access serve major destinations such as Muir Woods, in Marin, CA or Maroon From the cases studied, the impetus solutions.” Bells in Aspen, CO; whereas others for introducing shuttle service is serve local and regional destinations, typically related to the popularity such as the Fish Canyon Shuttle of the destination, the presence in Duarte, CA. Some are still in of limited on-site parking, and service today, while others were pilot challenging existing road access programs or were discontinued; conditions. Typically open space some see high-ridership, others low. sites linked by shuttles were seeing All examples provide lessons for the high automobile congestion, Plan. illegal parking, and environmental degradation. While these were the main reasons cited for shuttle / bus Transit to Parks Strategic Plan - Case Studies 1 service introduction or modification, Safe Routes to Parks highlights the fact that non-auto owners had the need for safety and perception limited or no access to open space of safety for walking (and biking) sites was also frequently cited. One pathways between transit and of the main goals of the Plan is to parks, as well as improved provide access to disadvantaged navigability. This can manifest as and carless populations. street upgrades along routes that lead to a park, new crossings and Thinking Beyond the Shuttle improved park entrances, signage Beyond shuttle and bus programs, and wayfinding to parks, and it was challenging to find examples heightened maintenance practices. of implemented or planned access It also points to the need for: finding solution types that have specifically solutions that are tailored to the been used to get people to parks. desires of the community; cultivating However, several national initiatives relationships with law enforcement; have been instrumental in providing partnering with local organizations funding to improve transit access to and coalitions; and addressing street parks at a programmatic level. harassment issues. One main framework, that may Additionally, given Metro’s continued be gaining momentum is the commitment to incorporating first/ Safe Routes to Parks movement last mile strategies throughout the (National Recreation and Park County, this report does not include Association and the Safe Routes to first/last mile-specific case studies. School National Partnership). While Solutions identified in the 2014 not specifically profiled as part of First/Last Mile Strategic Plan include a case study in this report, the Safe recommendations to: Routes to Parks action framework • Improve crossings and suggests some interesting best connections to increase practices that align with this Plan, pedestrian visibility with from a first/last mile perspective. enhanced crosswalks, curb While some solutions to increase extensions, and shortcuts; and improve access to parks around • Increase signage and wayfinding the County will be shuttle- and bus- by installing directional and based, others may be first/last mile informational signage on heavily solutions for improving walking and trafficked corridors around biking conditions in between parks transit stations, etc; and transit stops and addressing • Enhance multi-modal safety and concerns about walking and biking comfort by installing lighting, safety, navigability, and general improving freeway underpasses access. Transit to Parks Strategic Plan - Case Studies 2 and bus waiting areas, and App and Website (San calming traffic; Francisco, CA) • Redistribute streetspace by 3. Incentive Program: The Youth allocating dedicated space Opportunity Pass (Vancouver, for busses, bicyclists and WA) pedestrians; 4. Local Program: Save • Incorporate other first/last mile Passages (Chicago, IL) amenities such as bike storage 5. New Technology: on busses, bike share stations, Autonomous Shuttles and rolling lanes. (Various) See the First/Last Mile Strategic How this Study is Organized Plan Toolkit for a more exhaustive Each case example is presented list of suggest solutions that may be through an Overview and Key applied to this Plan. Takeaways, along with a consistent set of indicators relating to elements In addition to the shuttle / bus like ridership/usage, frequency, cost, examples profiled in this memo, and key partners (as appropriate also included are a series of access and as data was available). The Key solutions that represent interesting Takeaways are specifically relevant opportunities for LA Metro and the for the Plan and our local context Strategic Plan. These additional five in the County. Local shuttles and examples have not been explicitly buses are presented first, followed employed to get people to parks and by national examples and then open space, but certainly could be in non-traditional examples. A series the future. They were chosen based of summary matrices follows the on preliminary research that pointed case studies, comparing each on a to possible integration of non- variety of characteristics. Links and traditional solutions relating to on- resources are listed at the end of demand services, new autonomous the document. A quick “At a Glance technologies, web-based offerings, Matrix” can be found on page 5. educational components, and incentive structures. Key Lessons While each case study lists specific These examples include: takeaways relevant to the Plan there 1. Hybrid System: Chariot, On are some overarching lessons that Demand Vans with Fixed are worth noting up front. Routes (San Francisco, CA) 2. Education Program: The Transit and Trails Interactive Transit to Parks Strategic Plan - Case Studies 3 Marketing and advertising play Shuttles or programs offered also a big role. Programs need to be need to be appropriately sized, not widely and appropriately advertised too large to be empty and wasting both before service commences space and not too small to be and during service, including the overcrowded or undermanaged. possibility for in-the-field notice boards and signage. Programs may Consider a pilot. Introducing a use multiple outlets to reach target shuttle or program as a temporary audiences: press releases, flyers pilot or seasonal solution allows and brochures; in-the-field signage, providers to measure effectiveness banners, and branded shuttles/ and adapt service features. infrastructure; social media, city websites, transit agency websites, Rely on partners. Almost all of destination websites; hiking, visitor, the cases studied highlight the fact and local blogs; articles, local public that good partnerships are critical. radio, etc. Partners can help to run, fund, support, and publicize the service or Hours of operation and service program. Partnerships in the cases capacity need to match studied include parks, federal, state, demand. Hours of operation and local governments, community should reflect and adapt to demand organizations, non-profits, private trends. Parks and open space may companies and sponsors, and transit be popular year-round, seasonally, agencies. or for special events/holidays. They likely also have visitation trends Community input and political throughout the day and week. will are central to decide when, This may be further impacted by where, and how service and fluctuating recreational activity programs should be introduced and weather conditions. Having or refined. This Strategic Plan is variable and adaptive operating rooted in data, data that will help hours not only provides adequate determine what sorts of service to service to park / open space for recommend and where; the next