tysons tysons corner circulator study board transportation committee june 12, 2012

Tysons

Tysons Corner Circulator StudyBoard Transportation Committee

June 12, 2012

Tysons

Tysons Circulator Study

1. The Comprehensive Plan for the Tysons Corner Urban Center calls for a System of Circulators in Tysons Corner to:

A. Provide quick and convenient access for Metrorail passengers to and from locations within Tysons but beyond walking distance from the Metrorail Stations, and

B. To provide a quick and convenient way to travel within Tysons.

Background:

Tysons

Tysons Circulator Study

2. Follow-on motion 11 specifically pertains to the Circulator Study and directs staff to “issue an RFP for the circulator study” and to “bring the results of that study to a future Board Transportation Committee Meeting for discussion”.

3. An RFP for the Circulator Study was issued in December of 2010 and the contract was awarded to a team lead by AECOM in March of 2011.

Background:

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Study Purpose

• LONG RANGE (2050) Planning study to support Tysons Corner redevelopment and rezoning process– Design circulator system to support goal of maximizing

transit trips/minimizing auto trips

• Identify needed transit preferential treatments – Support a reliable and effective circulator system– Identify required expansion of right of way – may require

additional adjacent land

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Tysons Circulator Study

Tysons Planning Process

• Peer analysis of circulator systems in other cities • Project goals and objectives • Network development process • Long range ridership forecasts• Transit preferential treatments • Mode options • Operating and capital costs • Finalize recommendations

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TysonsNetwork Development Process

• Five preliminary networks developed initially– Based on sound route design principles– Long range design based on 2050 forecasted

conditions – Evaluated based on number and percentage of

trips beginning/ending within ¼ mile of each network

– Network #1 and Network #2 selected for more detailed evaluation

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Network #1: Three Route Network

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Network #2: Four Route Network

Tysons Ridership Forecasts

• Utilize regional forecasting model – reflect 2050 conditions

• Four key variables impact ridership– Service frequency – Circulator fare – Parking cost – Travel time (speeds)

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Tysons Ridership Forecasts

• Two ridership scenarios

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Scenario #1 Scenario #2

Frequency 6 minutes peak, 10 minutes off-peak

4 minutes peak, 6 minutes off-peak

Fare $1.00 No fare

Parking Costs Higher than Tysons currently – reflects costs

in Wilson Boulevard Corridor

Higher than Tysons currently – reflects costs

in Wilson Boulevard Corridor

Travel Speeds Based on Lower Level of Dedicated Transit Lanes

Based on Higher Level of Dedicated Transit Lanes

Tysons Ridership Forecasts

• Scenario #1 (Mid-range variables)

• Scenario #2 (Aggressive variables)

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Network Total Ridership Transfer from Metrorail

Non-Metrorail Riders

Network #1 17,600 6,200 11,400

Network #2 16,600 7,400 9,100

Network Total Ridership Transfer from Metrorail

Non-Metrorail Riders

Network #1 33,700 12,300 19,400

Network #2 33,300 14,400 18,900

TysonsDetailed Network Evaluation

• Evaluation criteria – Daily ridership– Boardings per revenue hour – Operating cost per rider– Capital cost per rider– Circulator travel time between select

origins/destinations – Change in transit mode share

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TysonsDetailed Network Evaluation

• The three route network performed better than then four route network on most of the key evaluation results. Ridership estimates were close between the two options.

• Preliminary Staff Recommended Network – Three Route Network

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Three Route Network

Four Route Network

Ridership XProductivity X

Operating Cost per Rider X Capital Cost Per Rider X

Tysons Mode Evaluation

Purpose:

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• To identify the most appropriate transit mode for each route within the selected circulator network.

Tysons Mode Evaluation

Based on:

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• Projected ridership, • Capacity of Mode,• Headway requirements, • Right of way requirements,• Roadway congestion levels along each route,• Constructability of required, infrastructure to support each

mode, • Impacts of selected mode on other modes sharing the roadway

network, and• Maintenance facility requirements

Tysons Mode Evaluation

Modes evaluated:

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• Streetcar

• Bus (40’ and 60’ lengths)

• Driverless Personal Rapid Transit

Tysons Mode Evaluation

Mode Recommended: 40’ and/or 60’ Bus

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• Sufficient capacity to meet ridership demand can be achieved on all routes, under both networks, through the use of a 40’ or 60’ bus.

• Lower capital and operating costs.

• Greater flexibility to be re-routed as required.

TysonsTransit Preferential Treatments

• Types – Dedicated transit lanes – Queue jumps – Transit signal priority

• Factors considered – Level of congestion (speed)– Queue length at intersections – Transit vehicle volumes– Person carrying capacity

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TysonsIdentified Areas for Exclusivity

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Tysons Next Steps

• Select final network• Finalize transit preferential treatment

recommendations, as appropriate• Calculate costs • Refine ridership forecasts – final network • Complete final report in July 2012• Recommend Relevant Changes to Comprehensive

Plan• Begin process to secure funding

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Questions

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