Charlotte Area Transit System Sprinter Enhanced Bus Project Implementation NCAMPO Conference May...

Charlotte Area Transit SystemSprinter Enhanced Bus Project

Implementation

NCAMPO ConferenceMay 2012

Travis Pollack, AICP

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 2


Presentation Overview

• Definition of Enhanced Bus• Development of CATS Enhanced Bus

Service Characteristics• Implementation of First Enhanced Bus

Line• Lessons Learned


CATS 2030 Transit Plan

• 5 High Capacity Corridors• Blue Line LRT opened 2008• Streetcar recommended

for Center City and WestCorridor to Airport

• Projected Airport/West Corridor completion date - 2034

• Begin “premium service” onWest Corridor in interim


What is Enhanced Bus?

• Runs in mixed traffic• Moderate to significant

operations improvements• New vehicles• Improved stops/amenities

(shelters, signage, including variable message signs)


What is Enhanced Bus?

• Isn’t “Enhanced Bus” Bus Rapid Transit? • (No.)

Enhanced Bus Bus Rapid Transit


Defining Enhanced Bus

• Review of Enhanced Bus in North America: LA Metro Rapid– 3 to 10 min. headways– Some signal prioritization– ¾ mile stop spacing– Distinctive color scheme– Shelters and real-time info– Stops serve only Metro Rapid– 28 routes, 450 route miles



• Review of Enhanced Bus in North America: Kansas City MAX– 2 routes, 15 miles, 9 to 15 min.

headways– Some exclusive lanes

& signal prioritization– Standard shelters,

signs and lighting (“monuments”)

– Named stops



• Review of Enhanced Bus in North America: Las Vegas MAX– 12 miles, 2 routes, some exclusive lanes– Named stops, TVM, level boarding– Distinctive vehicle


Sprinter Enhanced Bus Characteristics

• 10-20 min. service headways all day• Limited stops, possibly with signal

priority• Consistent amenities at stops – public

art, distinctive shelters, signage• Variable message signs at high ridership

locations• New vehicles with hybrid technology• Unambiguous routing with clear route info at

stops• Distinctive “brand” – separate from

other CATS services (“Sprinter”)



Premium Standard Minimum*Signage CATS sign with

Sprinter logo and route name

Stop name (e.g., Airport, Ashley) signage

Schedule Line stop map Map of all

Sprinter Services Variable Message

Sign (schedule arrival or next bus information)

CATS sign with Sprinter logo and route name


Schedule Line stop map

CATS sign with Sprinter logo and route name


Schedule

Seating/Shelter High quality shelter with benches

High quality shelter with benches

Bench, if right-of-way available

Lighting Dedicated lighting

Dedicated lighting

Existing street/area lighting

Other Trash receptacle Public Art

Trash receptacle Public Art

----

Sprinter Manual – Elements at Stops

*Minimum standards only apply with zoning or other regulations prohibit Standard or Premium elements



• Selected Stop Design


Sprinter Implementation

• Overlay or replace service?– Sprinter Airport replaces Rt. 5– Stop spacing: ½ to 1 mile (Overlay= 1 to 2

miles)• Analyze existing ridership, stops,

existing/future markets• Evaluate routing

– Efficiencies– Overall travel time

• Agency & Public coordination



• First Sprinter Line: Replace Rt. 5 to Airport

• Analyzed O/D rider survey data, stop data

• Findings:– Riders heavily transit dependent– Mostly connect to/from other lines– High proportion of work/home trips– Non-standard work shifts (Airport)– 37 stops each way – only 12 had at least 10

riders/day



• Insert Fig. 1 map



• Stop Analysis – reduced number of stops from 37 to 17

• Need to continue service transit dependent neighborhoods, interface with other routes

• Want competitive travel time for choice riders

• New downtown routing – serve hotels, arena and convention center if feasible



• Center City Route Analysis

Old Bus Rt. 5



• Stop Site Selection: more difficult than imagined– Near existing signalized intersections– Far side of intersection (if feasible)– Must connect to sidewalk network (ADA)– Available power supply (lighting/VMS)– Clear sight lines– Away from driveways– If possible, at or near existing bus stop– If possible, within public right-of-way– NCDOT clear zone requirements*

*(if on NCDOT controlled roadway)



110 ft.

210 ft.

420 ft.

530 ft.



• Implementation Issues– Securing easement (condemnation)– NCDOT clear zone requirements & shelter

approval– Duke Energy (pole, power and meter for VMS)– Shelter, signage & vehicle procurement– Approval/cooperation from other City

departments– Contractors


Sprinter Enhanced Bus

Official Opening: September 2009


Sprinter Airport Service

17 (one way)Approximately 36 (one way)

Number of Stops

21 to 23 minutes25 to 29 minutes

Average Trip Time (CTC to Airport)

Every 30 minutesHourly

Weekends

Every 30 minutes (hourly after 10 PM)Hourly

Night (after 7 PM)

Every 20 minutesHourly

Mid-day and Evening

Every 20 minutesEvery 30 minutes

AM and PM Peak

AirportRoute 5


Sprinter Enhanced Bus: Results

• CATS Sprinter: 62% increase, FY08-FY12• Rest of CATS Local Bus: 2%-3% increase, FY08-FY12

FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 120

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

Avg. Monthly Riders – CATS Sprinter


Sprinter Enhanced Bus: Results


Sprinter Enhanced Bus: Lessons Learned

• Start early– Routing, stops, easements, procurement,

outreach• Develop service parameters and follow them

– Document what Enhanced Bus means, how it differs from other services

• Consider short-term &long-term goals for service– Existing riders, new riders, future transit

• It can work, and can be done inexpensively– CATS Sprinter: $20K to $35K per stop



More information:

Travis Pollack, AICP704.375.2438 Ext. [email protected]

or CATS website:www.ridetransit.org

Thank you.

Charlotte Area Transit System Sprinter Enhanced Bus Project Implementation NCAMPO Conference May...

Documents

Transcript of Charlotte Area Transit System Sprinter Enhanced Bus Project Implementation NCAMPO Conference May...