update from regional transportation alliance

RTA perspectives and engagement on

Accelerating Multimodal Transportation Solutions

for the Western Triangle

Joe Milazzo II, PE, RTA Executive Director

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of CommerceEconomic Development and Public Policy Committee

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017

• 100 companies

• 23 member chambers of commerce

• Strong public and private partners

• Executive volunteers in 11 focus areas, from

freeways and transit to policy and tech innovation

• Dedicated RTA professional staff

About the RTA business coalition

RTA engagement on transit


Led RTA intercity trips since 2005 including: San Diego, Dallas,

Denver, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, Austin, N. Virginia

Coordinated Bus On Shoulder System (BOSS), now in 3 counties


Pushed bus rapid transit-based approach for Wake Co. transit plan


Led media/communications strategy for Wake transit campaign


RTA transit engagement

in the western Triangle

RTA multimodal focus in western Triangle

• Supported referenda in Durham and Orange counties 2011-12

• Continue to support repeal of rail funding cap in legislature

• Suggested dual use with Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber in 2016

• Created Multimodal 54 initiative with GoTriangle in 2016

• Supported Durham-Orange extension to NC Central in 2016

• Elevated “3eBRT” concept for corridor in 2017


Created Multimodal 54 initiative with GoTriangle in 2016

FOCUS:

Immediate and shorter-term opportunitiesto enhance the multimodal performance

of portions of the NC 54 corridor to the

west of the I-40 interchange/exit 270.


Created Multimodal 54 initiative with GoTriangle in 2016

High-capacity transit for

Durham-Orange corridor

Durham-Orange light rail corridor

Rationale for light rail in Durham-Orange corridor

• Known, proven technology

• Electric propulsion, no point source emissions

• Dedicated, fixed corridor

• Predictable travel time, over time

• High performance as usage grows

• Track record of focusing development along fixed rail corridors

Status of light rail in Durham-Orange corridor

• Referenda in 2011, 2012 based on plan that included light rail

• Broad support for project

• Completed environmental document, including NCCU extension

• Current funding and financing framework

3eBRT approach

RTA business coalition recently endorsed a

fully-electric, enhanced, exclusive bus rapid transit

(“3e” BRT) alternative for the Durham-Chapel Hill corridor,

As a means to potentially accelerate and enhance the

Durham-Orange corridor and our regional transit future.

Risks associated with 3eBRT approach

• Additional environmental study required for 3eBRT concept

• Federal funding for engineering this spring would not apply to 3eBRT

• 3eBRT not permitted within NC Railroad corridor in Downtown Durham

• Potential for lower speeds if 3eBRT on shared Downtown Durham streets

• Lower per-vehicle capacity

• Concerns about impact on traffic at crossings

• Lack of familiarity with 3eBRT concept

• No guarantee of future federal or state funding

• Would require a significant pivot in approach to pursue a 3eBRT concept

• Limited support at present time

Additional risks associated with 3eBRT approach

Landscape as of early 2017

• State funding continues to be more limited than previously expected

• Potential for additional local funding requests to keep project moving

• Light rail projected opening date delayed to 2028

• Bonding payments expected to continue until 2062

• Limited local funding for vital regional connections, e.g. commuter rail

• All three counties have passed referenda for dedicated local funding

• Bus rapid transit has evolved, and continues to progress

Elements outside our community’s control

• Federal funding eligibility and support

• State funding eligibility and support

• Our economy and impact on local sales tax revenue

• Growth in local market

• Impact on future ridership levels and travel preferences

RTA business coalition: analysis framework

• What mobility problem(s) are we trying to solve right now?

• What problem(s) are we trying to anticipate and solve in the future?

• Sources of risk and uncertainty – financial and technological

• Opportunity costs of local funding and time

• 10, 20, 30 years from now, what would we most regret having not done?

RTA business coalition: analysis framework

3eBRT approach

RTA business coalition has endorsed a

fully-electric, enhanced, exclusive bus rapid transit

(“3e” BRT) alternative for the Durham-Chapel Hill corridor,

As a means to potentially accelerate and enhance the

Durham-Orange corridor and our regional transit future.

RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

• Bus Rapid Transit performed well in 2012 Alternatives Analysis

• Electric buses now exist and feasible, while costs have fallen

• Bus Rapid Transit expanding in U.S.

• 5 bus rapid transit corridors

opening within decade here

• Transit oriented development

demonstrated nationally

around bus rapid transit

Performed well in 2012 Alternatives Analysis


Electric buses now exist and feasible, while costs have fallen


Transit oriented development demonstrated nationally around BRT


5 bus rapid transit corridors approved and opening within decade


• 3eBRT could start immediately

• Scalable solution; dedicated segments could be added over time

• Enhanced regional connections

via interlining

• Could add external stations to

emphasize “one seat,

no transfer required” connectivity



• Enhanced regional

connections via interlining

• Can add external stations

to emphasize “one seat,

no transfer required”

connectivity

• Higher effective frequency

within the corridor

• 3eBRT could operate within

corridor between hospitals

• 3eBRT could operate on

NC 147, I-40 freeways


• 3eBRT could operate on

existing streets

• Potential for reduced

impact on traffic at crossings


• Lower required capital costs, and overall capital costs

• Lower federal funding requirements


Could free up funding to advance commuter rail and other regional linkages


Automation/technological innovation has accelerated


• Support high-capacity linkage between Durham and Chapel Hill

• Supported referenda in Durham and Orange counties 2011-12

• Supported Durham-Orange extension to NC Central in 2016

• Continue to support repeal of rail funding cap in legislature

• Support federal funding for regional transit

RTA and Durham-Orange corridor

• Referenda in 2011, 2012 based on plan that included light rail

• Completed environmental document, including NCCU extension

• Current funding and financing framework

• Broad support for project

Status of light rail in Durham-Orange corridor

"The spirit of liberty

is the spirit that is not too sure it is right."

- Judge Learned Hand

RTA perspectives and engagement on

Accelerating Multimodal Transportation Solutions

for the Western Triangle

Joe Milazzo II, PE, RTA Executive Director

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of CommerceEconomic Development and Public Policy Committee

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017

update from regional transportation alliance

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