Comprehensive Operations Analysis Concept Development and Recommended Network Evaluation Technical Memorandum August 2021 Presented to Duluth Transit Authority Prepared by Connetics Transportation Group Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Summary of Key Findings ............................................................................................................................... 2 3.0 Development of Network Concepts................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 Summary of Route Workshop Materials ......................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Route Workshop Concept Development ......................................................................................................... 7 3.2.1 Defining Concept Scenarios ..................................................................................................................... 9 3.2.2 Service Types and Creation of Network Concepts .................................................................................. 9 4.0 Network Concept Evaluation ........................................................................................................................ 14 4.1 Evaluation Criteria .......................................................................................................................................... 14 4.2 Concept Evaluation Findings ......................................................................................................................... 14 5.0 Recommended Draft Network Plan and Evaluation ..................................................................................... 16 5.1 Recommended Draft Network Service Details ............................................................................................. 16 5.2 Recommended Draft Network Evaluation and Benefits .............................................................................. 47 5.2.1 Coverage Evaluation ............................................................................................................................... 47 5.2.2 Trip Quality Evaluation ............................................................................................................................ 52 5.2.3 Equity Evaluation .................................................................................................................................... 56 5.2.4 Recommended Draft Network Benefit Summary ................................................................................. 59 Appendix A: TAG – Route Workshop Summary and Concept Evaluation Presentation ...................................... 61 Appendix B: Average Travel Time Results........................................................................................................... 92 Appendix C: Quality Transit Area Results .......................................................................................................... 112 Appendix D: Customer and Driver Survey Technical Memorandum ................................................................. 117 Tables Table 1: Recommended Draft Network Route Frequency and Service Spans ...................................................... 18 Table 2: Route 101: Spirit Valley-DTC-UMD Proposed Operations ......................................................................... 19 Table 3: Route 102: DTC-Mall Proposed Operations ............................................................................................... 21 Table 4: Route 103: New Duluth-DTC-Lakeside Proposed Operations .................................................................. 23 Table 5: Route 104: E 4th Local Proposed Operations ........................................................................................... 25 Table 6: Route 105: E 9th Local Proposed Operations ........................................................................................... 27 Table 7: Route 106: Kenwood Local Proposed Operations .................................................................................... 29 Table 8: Route 107: LSC-Trinity-Mall Local Proposed Operations .......................................................................... 31 Table 9: Route 108: Piedmont-Mall-Airport Proposed Operations ......................................................................... 33 Table 10: Route 109: Proctor-Spirit Valley-DTC Proposed Operations ................................................................... 35 Table 11: Route 110: DTC-Superior-Tower Ave Proposed Operations ................................................................... 37 Table 12: Route 111: Superior Circulator Proposed Operations ............................................................................ 39 Table 13: Route 112: Woodland-UMD-Mall Proposed Operations ......................................................................... 41 Table 14: Route 113: Park Point-DTC-Central Hillside Proposed Operations ........................................................ 43 Table 15: Route 114: Port Town Trolley Proposed Operations ............................................................................... 45 Table 16: Recommended Draft Network Statistics Analysis ................................................................................... 49 Table 17: Select Travel Points .................................................................................................................................. 53 Table 18: Coverage Impacts to Identified Equity Groups ........................................................................................ 57 Table 19: Equity Group Access to Frequent Service ................................................................................................ 58 Table 20: Equity Group Changes by Quality Transit Area ........................................................................................ 58 Figures Figure 1: Study Guiding Principles .............................................................................................................................. 5 Figure 2: Survey Response – DTA Organizational Focus Preference ....................................................................... 6 Figure 3: Survey Response – Appetite for Service Change ....................................................................................... 7 Figure 4: Transit Service Tradeoffs and Potential Outcomes .................................................................................... 8 Figure 5: Concept 1 Proposed Service Map ............................................................................................................. 12 Figure 6: Concept 2 Proposed Service Map ............................................................................................................. 13 Figure 7: Recommended Draft Network System Map ............................................................................................. 17 Figure 8: Route 101: Spirit Valley-DTC-UMD Proposed Alignment ......................................................................... 20 Figure 9: Route 102: DTC-Mall Proposed Alignment ............................................................................................... 22 Figure 10: Route 103: New Duluth-DTC-Lakeside Proposed Alignment ................................................................ 24 Figure 11: Route 104: E 4th Local Proposed Alignment ......................................................................................... 26 Figure 12: Route 105: E 9th Local Proposed Alignment ......................................................................................... 28 Figure 13: Route 106: Kenwood Local Proposed Alignment .................................................................................. 30 Figure 14: Route 107: LSC-Trinity-Mall Local Proposed Alignment ........................................................................ 32 Figure 15: Route 108: Piedmont-Mall-Airport Proposed Alignment ....................................................................... 34 Figure 16: Route 109: Proctor-Spirit Valley-DTC Proposed Alignment ................................................................... 36 Figure 17: Route 110: DTC-Superior-Tower Ave Proposed Alignment .................................................................... 38 Figure 18: Route 111: Superior Circulator Proposed Alignment ............................................................................ 40 Figure 19: Route 112: Woodland-UMD-Mall Proposed Alignment ......................................................................... 42 Figure 20: Route 113: Park Point-DTC-Central Hillside Proposed Alignment ........................................................ 44 Figure 21: Route 114: Port Town Trolley Proposed Alignment ............................................................................... 46 Figure 22: Locations No Longer with Direct Transit Service ................................................................................... 48 Figure 23: High Frequency Service Coverage Comparison ..................................................................................... 51 Figure 24: Net Average Travel Time Comparison by Day of Week .........................................................................