Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) WebinarValley Metro Commute Solutions

June 24, 2020

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Introductions

Speakers

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Joshua Matthews, AICP

Senior Transit Planner

Valley Metro

Sara Kotecki, PE

BRT Administrator

City of Phoenix

Matthew Taunton

Senior Transit PM

HDR

Jennifer Valentine

Transportation Planner III

MAG

Agenda

1. Introductions

2. Overview of BRT

3. City of Phoenix BRT Program

4. MAG Regional BRT Study

5. Q&A Period

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Overview of BRT

What is BRT?

• BRT stands for “bus rapid transit”

• Higher frequency and greater

capacity bus service

• Amenities and service levels

similar to light rail

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National Examples

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Los Angeles G Line

Cleveland HealthLineConnecticut CTfastrak

Emerald Express Albuquerque Rapid Transit

Registrant Feedback

No Express/RAPID BRT

Responses to the registration question “Have you ridden Bus Rapid Transit and if so, where?”

BRT Routes ridden include: East Valley Link in Mesa, the Silver Line in Boston, Seattle's

RapidRide C-Line, Kansas City.

City of Phoenix BRT Program

PHOENIX BRT

BRT Webinar

June 24, 2020

Phoenix BRT

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T2050 Overview

• In 2015, Phoenix voters approved Prop 104, creating the 35-year street and transit plan

• Provide transportation solutions considering growth

• Transit is the most space efficient way of moving people

• BRT identified as a component of T2050

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What is

Bus Rapid Transit?

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BRT is Advanced Bus Service

• High capacity bus service that focuses on improved speed, reliability and convenience

• No universal standard for BRT

• Can be planned and designed to best meet the needs of a community

• Common elements found in BRT systems

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Enhanced Stations

• Center or side stations

• Wide platforms

• Level boarding

• Large canopies or shelters

• Seating and leaning rails

• Real-time information

• Ticket vending machines

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Custom Buses

• Low floor

• Articulated

• Multiple doors (both sides if center stations)

• Higher passenger capacity

• USB chargers

• Bikes on board

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Advanced Fare Collection

• Off board fare payment

• Mobile fare payment

• Reloadable smart cards

• Validators

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Unique Branding

• Differentiate this mode from other modes

• Naming convention

• Overall service and lines

• Numbers, colors, letters

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Potential for Dedicated Lanes

• Separate buses from traffic to increase speed and reliability

• Can be implemented for a portion of the corridor or entire alignment

• Evaluate appropriateness

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Transit Spot Improvements - Queue Jump Lanes

• Tool to improve transit operations

• Consists of an additional lane at an intersection

• Allows buses to merge smoothly

• Gives buses a brief head start ahead of traffic

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Transit Spot Improvements - Transit Signal Priority

• Tool to improve transit operations

• Modifies the normal signal operation process to better accommodate buses

• Priority request generator – hold green longer or shorten red time

• Saves fuel

• Fewer delays

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Corridor Analysis: What we took into consideration

BRT Corridors

Ridership Forecasting

Transit Propensity

Transit Performance

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Potential BRT corridors based on:• transit propensity• transit performance• ridership forecasting

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Transit Performance, Propensity, and Ridership

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Phoenix Bus Service 101

Phoenix carries approximately

2/3 of all transit passengersTraveling “across the grid”could be improved

Current bus network has

plateaued in some corridors

Challenge is to improve transit

speed and reliability

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Main A Line D Line Thomas Indian School 35th Ave

Kansas City Minneapolis Seattle Phoenix

How do Phoenix corridors compare?

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2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Local Bus BRT

Rid

ers

hip

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Average Daily Boardingsand Boardings per Revenue Mile

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Ridership by Segment (1-Mile)

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Composite Transit Propensity

• Population

• Employment

• Low income households

• Minority persons

• Persons with disabilities

• Zero automobile households

• Persons under 18 years

• Persons over 64 years

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Ridership by Segment and Transit Propensity

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Potential BRT corridors based on:• transit propensity• transit performance• ridership forecasting

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BRT Corridor Optimization

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Camelback/24th St

• Desert Sky Transit Center to

future 24th St SkyTrain

• 18.5 miles

• 11,109 daily boardings (2019)

• 18,280 daily boardings (2040)

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Indian School/24th St

• Desert Sky Transit Center to

future 24th St SkyTrain

• 16.5 miles

• 9,580 daily boardings (2019)

• 15,029 daily boardings (2040)

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Thomas/44th St

• Desert Sky Transit Center to

44th St SkyTrain

• 16.1 miles

• 13,502 daily boardings (2019)

• 16,078 daily boardings (2040)

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McDowell/44th St

• 35th Ave (future Capitol/I-10

LRT) to 44th St SkyTrain

• 9.8 miles

• 5,064 daily boardings (2019)

• 7,344 daily boardings (2040)

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35th Ave/Van Buren

• Metrocenter Transit Center to

Central Station

• 13.6 miles

• 8,641 daily boardings (2019)

• 9,626 daily boardings (2040)

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19th Ave/Van Buren

• Sunnyslope Transit Center to

Central Station

• 11.3 miles

• 5,463 daily boardings (2019)

• 8,470 daily boardings (2040)

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What makes a good BRT network scenario?

• Geographic coverage and spacing (minimum 2 miles between corridors)

• Intersecting BRT corridors

• Connections with light rail and frequent local bus service

• Termini that are also origins and destinations

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What are potential BRT network scenarios?

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BRT Network Comparison

Camelback/24th St

Thomas/44th St

35th Ave/Van Buren

Camelback/24th St

Thomas/44th St

19th Ave/Van Buren

Indian School/24th St

McDowell/44th St

35th Ave/Van Buren

Indian School/24th St

McDowell/44th St

19th Ave/Van Buren

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Updates, Next Steps, Goal

• Webpage went live February 27, 2020: Phoenix.gov/BRT

• BRT 101 Video, Survey, and Factsheet live June 2020

• BRT public education & outreach on the six potential corridors

• June to December

• Present at Citizens Transportation Commission and Transportation,

Infrastructure & Innovation subcommittee for BRT foundation network

approval

• Identify BRT foundation network consisting of 3 corridors

Phoenix.gov/BRT

MAG Regional BRT Study

REGIONAL BUS RAPID TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDYJUNE 24, 2020

STUDY OVERVIEW

• Gauge the interest in and feasibility of implementing BRT in the MAG region

• Recommend a preliminary set of locations where a regional BRT network could connect to planned City of Phoenix investments

• Include significant coordination with ongoing City of Phoenix BRT Program, especially the outreach component

• Focus on public and stakeholder education

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STUDY AREA

REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

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POTENTIAL CITY OF PHOENIX BRT ROUTES

TRANSIT PROPENSITY

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• Minority populations

• Low-income residents

• < 18 years old

• > 64 years old

• Zero-vehicle households

• People with disabilities

• Public transit users

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ACTIVITY CENTERS

BRT CORRIDOR TOOLBOX

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Transit Lanes &Bus Bulbs

In-street Transit Center

Bus Boarding Islands& Bike Lanes

Transit Corridor

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BRT EXAMPLES

COLLABORATION + OUTREACH

• Educational video

• Online survey

• Interactive comment map

• Technical advisory group

• Stakeholder interviews

• Public meeting

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Q&A Period

Links & Contact Info

• Valley Metro (Link)

• Joshua Matthews: jmatthews@valleymetro.org

• City of Phoenix BRT Program (Link)

• Sara Kotecki: sara.kotecki@phoenix.gov

• Matthew Taunton: matthew.taunton@hdrinc.com

• Phoenix Educational Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL22YB12L5NbTEP2tAJvSBBwDfnU872o3t

• MAG Regional BRT Feasibility Study (Link)

• Jennifer Valentine: jvalentine@azmag.gov

• MAG Educational Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkdDJyD65mg

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Thank You

Transportation Coordinator

Update

June 24, 2020

ShareTheRide is Evolving

• Later this summer, the smart commute landscape is changing!

• ShareTheRide.com is unveiling a new platform and app that will revolutionize your commute!

• The new system helps people organize carpools, check traffic, select transit routes, participate in challenges, and win rewards.

• Special options for TCs.

• Details coming soon.

TRP Variance ExtendedIn a continuing response to COVID-19, the TRP Regional Task Force has extended the original annual survey and plan submittal variance through September 30, 2020.

The variance extension suspends organizational deadlines for TRP surveys and initial travel reduction plan submittals and suspends the requirement for issuing incentives to employees during the variance extension period. It does not exclude, limit, or exempt companies from program participation.

We encourage organizations to continue to promote their travel reduction programs. If your organization is subject to the variance but you would like to submit the required surveys and travel reduction plans as normally scheduled, or you have additional questions, please contact TRP staff.

E-Survey Special Webinar

• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maricopa County Travel Reduction Program (TRP) surveys will be done electronically moving forward.

• Join us for a special session June 25 at 10 a.m.to learn more.

COVID-19 Response• Valley Metro now requires riders to wear face coverings

on all public transit: bus, light rail, paratransit, Dial-a-

Ride and vanpools. This includes on board vehicles and

at stops, stations and transit centers.

• We encourage riders to practice social distancing of six

feet while waiting and onboard.

See how we’re keeping riders safe.

Public Transit Survey

• Valley Metro has enhanced the cleaning and disinfecting of our transit system, and we want to know what else we can do to make you feel safer as we return to normal service.

• Please take this survey about riding public transportation. Your input will help shape future decisions on how we offer transit service.

• Complete the survey by June 30 to be entered to win one of ten $25 gift cards.

Rider Alerts on Twitter

• We encourage riders to follow @valleymetro and #vmservice on Twitter or download the AlertVMmobile app for notifications on potential delays and/or disruptions.

• Look out for yourself and others – if you see something, say something using the AlertVM app.

Clean Air Campaign Awards

• Call for nominations will be going

out soon for the 2020 CAC awards.

• Enter for TC, TRP, alternative mode

users and more.

• Programs/events from August 1,

2019 through July 31, 2020 qualify.

• Virtual awards event to be held,

Tuesday, October 20 from 11:30

a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• More details coming soon!

• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Overview

• Upcoming webinars• June 25, 10 a.m. Special session: Managing TRP e-surveys

• July 22, 10 a.m., Winning Strategies for Clean Air Campaign Award Entries

• August 26, 10 a.m., Get Involved with Rideshare Month!

• Access recorded webinars and slide shows

Can’t make it during a scheduled webinar? Register anyway; we’ll email you the recording!