FINAL Alternatives Analysis Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service Study Coachella Valley, CA July 25, 2016 Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service Study Alternatives Analysis Contents ES Executive Summary ..................................................................................................... ix ES.1 Study Area ........................................................................................................... x ES.2 Market Analysis .................................................................................................. xi ES.3 Outreach ............................................................................................................ xii ES.4 Purpose and Need for the Study ........................................................................ xii ES.5 Identify Range of Route Alternatives ................................................................. xiii ES.6 Description of the Proposed Service .................................................................. xv ES.7 Screening Criteria and Methodology .................................................................. xv ES.8 Coarse-Level Screening ..................................................................................... xv ES.9 Fine-Level Screening ........................................................................................ xvi ES.10 Conclusion and Next Steps ...............................................................................xvii 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................1 2 Market Analysis .............................................................................................................4 2.1 Corridor Demographics ........................................................................................4 2.1.1 Overall Population and Employment .............................................................. 4 2.1.2 Tourism ..........................................................................................................6 2.1.3 Disadvantaged Communities ......................................................................... 7 2.1.4 Key Points: Corridor Demographics ............................................................... 9 2.2 Transportation Facilities and Services .................................................................. 9 2.2.1 Highway System Serving the Corridor ............................................................ 9 2.2.2 Transit System Connecting Coachella Valley and Los Angeles Basin .......... 11 2.2.3 Key Points: Transportation Facilities and Services ....................................... 20 2.3 Travel Volumes and Trip Patterns ...................................................................... 21 2.3.1 Daily Travel Volumes ................................................................................... 21 2.3.2 Hourly Volumes and Peaking Characteristics ............................................... 27 2.3.3 Origin-Destination Patterns .......................................................................... 33 2.3.4 Trip Purposes .............................................................................................. 41 2.3.5 Future Travel Demand Growth ..................................................................... 43 2.3.6 Key Points: Travel Volumes and Trip Patterns ............................................. 43 2.4 Transportation System Performance .................................................................. 44 2.4.1 Regional Highway Congestion ..................................................................... 44 2.4.2 Travel Times ................................................................................................ 45 2.4.3 Rail and Bus Ridership................................................................................. 47 2.4.4 I-10 Emergency Closures ............................................................................. 47 2.4.5 Key Points: Transportation System Performance ......................................... 49 2.5 Key Findings of Market Analysis ........................................................................ 49 3 Outreach ......................................................................................................................51 4 Purpose and Need for the Study ................................................................................ 57 4.1 Need for Transportation Improvements .............................................................. 57 4.2 Purpose and Objectives for Transportation Improvements ................................. 57 5 Range of Route Alternatives ....................................................................................... 59 5.1 No-Build Alternative ........................................................................................... 59 5.2 Consideration of Possible “Build” Alternatives .................................................... 61 5.2.1 Potential Intercity Rail Options ..................................................................... 64 Riverside County Transportation Commission July 2016 | Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service Study Alternatives Analysis 5.2.2 Potential Intercity Bus Service Options ........................................................ 70 5.3 Alternatives to be Studied .................................................................................. 72 6 Description of the Proposed Service ......................................................................... 81 6.1 Speed and Travel Time ...................................................................................... 81 6.2 Stations .............................................................................................................. 81 6.3 Frequency .......................................................................................................... 82 6.4 Infrastructure ...................................................................................................... 83 7 Screening Methodology .............................................................................................. 84 7.1 Overview ............................................................................................................ 84 7.2 Screening Criteria .............................................................................................. 85 7.2.1 Criteria 1: Purpose and Need ................................................................. 85 7.2.2 Criteria 2: Environmental Concerns ........................................................ 86 7.2.3 Criteria 3: Technical Feasibility ............................................................... 86 7.2.4 Criteria 4: Economic Feasibility .............................................................. 86 7.3 Screening Process ............................................................................................. 86 7.3.1 Coarse-Level Screening ............................................................................... 86 7.3.2 Fine-Level Screening .................................................................................... 87 8 Coarse-Level Screening .............................................................................................. 93 8.1 Yuma Subdivision .............................................................................................. 94 8.1.1 Purpose and Need: Travel Demand ....................................................... 94 8.1.2 Purpose and Need: Competitive and Attractive Travel Modes ................ 94 8.1.3 Environmental Concerns: Major Challenges ........................................... 95 8.1.4 Environmental Concerns: Sensitive Areas .............................................. 95 8.1.5 Environmental Concerns: Right-of-Way .................................................. 96 8.1.6 Technical Feasibility ............................................................................... 96 8.1.7 Economic Feasibility ............................................................................... 98 8.1.8 Summary ................................................................................................ 98 8.2 Route Alternative 1 ............................................................................................ 99 8.2.1 Purpose and Need: Travel Demand ..................................................... 100 8.2.2 Purpose and Need: Competitive and Attractive Travel Modes .............. 100 8.2.3 Environmental Concerns: Major Challenges ......................................... 100 8.2.4 Environmental Concerns: Sensitive Areas ............................................ 101 8.2.5 Environmental Concerns: Right-of-Way ................................................ 101 8.2.6 Technical Feasibility ............................................................................. 101 8.2.7 Economic Feasibility ............................................................................. 103 8.3 Route Alternative 2 .......................................................................................... 103 8.3.1 Purpose and Need: Travel Demand ..................................................... 104 8.3.2 Purpose and Need: Competitive and Attractive Travel Modes .............. 104 8.3.3 Environmental Concerns: Major Challenges ......................................... 104 8.3.4 Environmental Concerns: Sensitive Areas ...........................................