Infrastructure Investments for a Sustainable Downtown Nashville - The Circulator

Our Mission

• Provide an on-line resource for decision makers

• Raise awareness about mass transit issues and Transit Now Nashville

• Make the financial case for providing mass transit in Nashville

Our Goals

Transit Now is a grassroots organization with a mission to promote mass transit options and raise awareness of its benefits for the people living in the Greater Nashville Area.

www.transitnownashville.org

Mar. 18th

CityTHINK

• Encouraging Ridership

• Downtown Circulator

• Review of the past transit study

• Research in Peer Cities

•Wrap up session – Q&A

Presentation Outline

Precedence ResearchNashville Civic Design Center: The Plan of Nashville

Cumberland Region Tomorrow

Urban Land Institute - Infrastructure 2008

Nashville Area MPO studies

TDOT PlanGo and Nashville’s Downtown Transportation Plan

Nashville MTA – Strategic Master Plan

Nashville’s Transit History

Source: www.historicnashville.com

Downtown Circulator

Downtown Circulator

Downtown Circulator

Downtown Circulator

Fosters More Livable Communities

• Transit impacts land use

• Transit can stimulate development location & type

• We need effective with policies and actions that promote TODs

Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/ Source: prairiecrossing.com

Boosts Real Estate Values

• Real estate – residential and commercial – served by public transportation can command higher rents and maintain higher value than similar properties not as well served by transit.

Many examples include:– Dallas– Denver– San Diego

Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/

Stimulates Economic Development

• $10 million in capital investment yields $30 million in increased sales, while each $10 million in operating investment yields $32 million

• Every $1 taxpayers invest in public transportation generates up to $6 in economic returns

• And transit creates and sustains jobs – 47,500 for each billion dollars invested—and yields a six-fold return on public investments


By the year 2025, 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 and over and many will be unable to drive.

One fifth of person 65 and older do not drive.

Provides Mobility for Seniors


Americans Want More Transit

Public Transit Ridership Set a 52-Year High in 2008

In Nov 2008, voters in 16 states approved 74% of public transit-related ballot measures despite the economic conditions

Image source: www.rideuta.com

Supporting MTA

• A Voice in the Community• Awareness of MTA Needs and Goals• Research and Best Practices

What We Know

45% Increase in Ridership Since 2002

More Transit, More Options!

Priorities

Improving the Image of Transit

MarketingHow-to-Use-Transit TrainingEnhanced Amenities

Encouraging Ridership

• How-to Films• Video Contests• “Man on the Street”• User-generated Content

Transit Week

What’s In It For Me?

• Environmental Impact• Economic Benefits• Ease and Convenience

Challenges

• Intimidated/First-time Users• Socioeconomic• Convenience

Downtown Circulator

• Making Connections– Land Use

• Civic– Municipal Buildings– Parks and Greenways– Transportation Nodes

• Commercial– Retail– Office– Hotels / Convention Centers– Entertainment

• Residential– Condos– Apartment Buildings– Town homes

MTA Circulator Concept

titleDowntown Circulator

• Two Types of Circulators– Inner City

• Downtown Connections• Civic Nodes• Business Districts• Entertainment• Medical Districts

– Inner Neighborhood • Civic Nodes• Business Districts• Entertainment• Inner Ring Neighborhoods

Insert Image


• Strategies – Branding (Highly Visible)– High Frequency– Dependable– Connect to existing Transit

Downtown Circulator

THE GREEN LINE


• Phasing– Phase I – Bus Shuttles– Phase II – Light Rail Connector– Phase III – Light Rail System

Downtown Circulator

Downtown Circulator

April Urban Design Forum

“The Downtown Circulator - Part II”Thursday, April 16th 5:30 – 7:00 PM

The Plan

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Metro Square

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Metro Square

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Public Square

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: MTA Transfer Hub

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Clement Landport

Policy 9: Implementation Phase IComponents: Trolleys

Peer Cities

• Criteria for comparison may include:– Population– Density– Industries and Employment– Attractions– Geography– Government

Downtown Circulators

• The gap between regional and on foot transit options:– Can be bus, street car or light rail in form– Functions as the connection between regional

and commuter transit hub to destination areas

Jacksonville

• Circulator served by trolleys and skyway

Jacksonville

• Trolley System– Three free routes– One route connects downtown to a nearby

neighborhood with midday service for 50 cents a ride.

– Free summertime trolley to nearby beaches

Jacksonville

• Skyway System– An automated monorail system with trains

stopping at stations every 3 minutes during peak periods and every 6 minutes at other times

– Interconnected with free trolley service– Will connect to BRT lines – Offer low cost Park-N-Ride facilities for

commuters and visitors

Louisville

• Bus and Trolley service similar to Nashville

Louisville

• How their Circulator works– Historic replica rubber tire trolleys on two main

routes: – Trolley runs every 12-15 minutes weekdays– Runs every 12-20 minutes on Saturday– Route hours vary; some evening service

Louisville

• Details– Fare is 50 cents – Trolley stops are clearly marked– Free trolley service for their First Friday art

crawl and their Last Friday tour of Frankfort Avenue restaurants, art galleries and shops

– Connection service to traditional bus circulators.

Raleigh-Durham Triangle

• Recent report [May 2008] recommends:– Enhanced Local & Regional Bus Network– Circulators

• Airport to business and convention center districts• Downtown Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill & Cary


• Recent report [May 2008] recommends:– Heavy Rail [Diesel Multiple Unit]

• Between cities using existing railroad ROW– Light Rail

• Between Chapel Hill to Durham


• How it works– Historic replica rubber tire trolleys on two main

routes: – Trolley runs every 12-15 minutes weekdays– Runs every 12-20 minutes on Saturday– Route hours vary; some evening service

Other Cities to Consider

• Portland– Multimodal

• Denver– Free downtown shuttle– Linked to light rail & commuter rail

• Tampa– Trolley and light rail– Funded by TIF (discounted fare for residents in TIF

zone)

Best Practices

• Links to other modes• Free service in core• Easy to use• Parking opportunities• Attractive

Best Practices

• High frequency• Connections to nearby neighborhoods• Evening & weekend service• Special event service• Serve residents, tourists, & employees

Wrap up Session - Q&A

Weekly Meetings NCDC 11:30-1pm

Transit Week 13-19th