Simon Wood - AECOM - Evaluating light rail in Auckland – beyond cost, comparing to bus system

Light Rail for Auckland- More than just a bus replacement?

Simon Wood

AECOM

New Zealand Rail Conference 5th May 2015

Disclaimer

This presentation is based on upon information that has been made public by Auckland Transport on light rail proposals for Auckland and on AECOM international Light Rail material.

Statements or opinions expressed in this presentation are my personal thoughts and do not necessarily represent those of either Auckland Transport or AECOM New Zealand

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Introducing AECOM

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Some of the many Light Rail Projects we have worked

on around the world..

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Dublin

Manchester

Nottingham

Some of the many Light Rail Projects we have worked

on around the world..

Los Angeles

Minneapolis-St.Paul

New Jersey

Dallas

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Why is Light Rail being proposed for Auckland?

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Auckland Growth Challenge -2006-2041

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Source: Auckland Transport

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Auckland City Centre Bus Capacity

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Bus terminal capacity reached beforecorridors are full

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The Isthmus problem..

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• Not served by current or proposed Rapid Transit Corridors

• Busy Bus corridors

Dominion Rd

Manukau Rd

Mt Eden Rd

Sandringham Rd


Possible Auckland Light Rail Network Development

Image: NZ Herald


Image NZ Herald

Why Light Rail?

• Efficiency- capacity plus cost effective to operate

• Environmental credentials

• Permanence of LRT routes can help urban regeneration

• Lots of cities building them

• People like trams!

But

• Expensive to establish

• Construction disruption

• Impacts on traffic and parking


Why not bigger buses?

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• Cheaper to implement- less disruption to construct.

• More flexible than LRT for coping with problems

• Propulsion technology changes narrowing environmental lead of Light Rail

• Less track record of BRT leading to urban regeneration – maybe this is more a factor of LRT construction triggering urban renewal than the PT mode itself?

• Bi-directional Light Rail vehicles can provide more space efficient operations than uni-directional buses


Capacity Comparison


• Light Rail has a higher absolute capacity than bus transit

• But achievable capacity in practice depends on many factors:

Route characteristics

Segregated or mixed traffic

Junction prioritisation

Number of stops

Dwell times

Vehicle size and performance

Etc..

Are there other reasons for building Light Rail?


Light Rail Objectives- more than just transport

Project objectives

Transport

Land use Integration

Design

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Serve a range of customer markets & delivers a range of land use outcomes:

• High volume short inner city trips

• High peak hour, peak direction & high turnover of patronage

• Linking ‘specialist’ attractors, including Universities, Hospitals, Schools, Retail Centres & Business Parks

• Achieving high density mixed use urban developments


Successful Light Rail Networks

‘Successful light rail’ encompasses both transport and land use outcomes.

Light rail can create significant land use uplift along corridors & at key development sites.

Light rail succeeds when it guarantees reliable, attractive door-to-door journey times compared to the car

• Road space & intersection priority

• Good system planning & design (overarching strategic vision)

• Selecting a light rail route

• Linking Activity Centres

Critical Success Factor 1

Having the right network effect


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Light Rail serves the right communities

Expanding the light rail network will create new & different opportunities for urban densification & business growth

• The ‘right communities’

• The ‘right potential’

• ‘Support’ from local communities & businesses


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Light Rail achieves the right land use effects

Public transport infrastructure delivery can be directly linked to land use planning & land development opportunities




Light Rail achieves the right land use effects-Gold Coast example

Alignment & Separation

Separation from traffic is a key design element

Benefits include:

• Journey time

• Reliability

• Urban design

The ‘forgotten’ benefit of separation:

• Network design

• Land use integration


Separation & Traffic Signals

Accurate pre-emption

Shorter tram cycle

More effective

signal priority

Reduced capex and

opex, better ride, less

traffic impact


Optimal Project

Alignment, stops &

separation

Urban realm

Constructability & sustainability

Operations

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Key Opportunities & Design Elements


Auckland Light Rail Development challenges

Photo: Mark BishopImage: NZ Herald


What is the optimal sequence and timing to build the network?


Are there opportunities for Transit Oriented development along the proposed light rail routes and will the Unitary Plan facilitate them?

Is the Land Use supportive?

Challenging Grades

- Wynyard Quarter to Mt Roskill via Queens St and Dominion Road

( 82 m altitude gain over 12 km)

Wynyard Qtr.

Queen St. (max 9.5 % gradient)

Dominion Rd(North end)

Dominion Rd(South end)


Image: Google Earth

Half Way Down Dominion Road a long time ago.

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Will Light Rail fit here as easily today?


Image: Google Earth

Detailed Design Considerations

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Street Position Options

Side Centre

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Stop Design and Integration options

IslandNarrow Island Side facing Plaza

Easy Access Stop

FootpathKerb

outstandTrafficable Easy

Access Stop


Urban Realm - Unifying Concepts for Lines

Materials Lighting

Separation


Infrastructure & Land Use Integration – The Fine Detail

Minimal Modest Bold


Construction disruption- Utilities risks


Media and Public Opinion can be fickle..


Media and Public Opinion can be fickle..


Other Issues to be Worked through…

• Developing the business case and commercial framework to support a fundable and affordable project

• Aligning the Light Rail Procurement and Operational Model with the Public Transport Operating Model (PTOM) requirements

• Developing the safety case for a modern high capacity street running light rail system that satisfies both Railways Act and general NZTA vehicle regulations


Conclusions

• Light Rail offers a means of solving Auckland’s CBD bus congestion issues as well as providing a higher quality public transport solution to the Isthmus area.

• Light rail will be a significant transport infrastructure investment, which has the potential to provide both transport and wider benefits.

• Successful light rail networks serve a range of customer markets & delivers range of land use outcomes- integrated transport and land use planning is essential.

• Will the routes being considered for Light Rail in Auckland be able to achieve this? Watch this space!

Thank You

simon,[email protected]