Austin Jenkins, AGM Rail Operations

Jim Starling, WRL Project Manager

Regional Transportation District

Denver Colorado

West Rail Line Update National Association of Active and Retired

Federal Employees

February 12, 2013

The RTD FasTracks Plan

• 122 miles of new light rail and commuter rail

• 18 miles of Bus Rapid Transit

(BRT) service • 31 new park-n-Rides; more than

21,000 new spaces • Enhanced Bus Network & Transit

Hubs (FastConnects) • Redevelopment of Denver Union

Station

West Rail Line

• 12.1 miles of light rail

• 12 Stations • $707M capital cost

• Train Frequency

Auraria – Fed Center • 7.5 min (peak) • 15 min (off peak)

Fed Center to Jeffco • 15 min

• Opened April 26, 2013

West Rail Line

West Rail Schedule

2001 - 2003 Environmental Impact Statement 2004 FasTracks Ballot Initiative

2004 - 2008 Design 2009 - 2012 Construction Jan - Feb 2013 Integrated Testing March 5, 2013 Line turned over to RTD Rail Operations April 26, 2013 West Rail open to public

Major Challenges Very narrow right-of-way (old rural residential)

Staying within budget while dealing with:

– Community Expectations

– Material Cost Increases

300+ partial acquisitions

- Widening of 13th Avenue

- Bike Path

Number of Bridges

Neighborhood Proximity

More than three miles of the line travels within 20 feet of residential properties in Lakewood 20 at-grade crossings Five elementary schools within four blocks of the tracks, one immediately adjacent. Creates unique situations where noise and neighborhood cohesiveness (soundwalls vs fencing) are at odds with best safety practices, making safety outreach even more important.

Proximity to homes/schools

Safety Outreach

Coordination with multiple entities to develop safe traffic and pedestrian practices at schools near rail crossings:

City of Lakewood Bicycle Colorado Operation Lifesaver West Metro Fire Jefferson County Schools

Back to school nights

Provide bilingual walking and biking materials and giveaways

Safety Road Show Automated rail crossing demonstration Full days at schools within four blocks of the new rail line (Fall/Spring)

Safety Video Production and Distribution

Mock Crossing

Quiet Crossings

Eleven crossings through the neighborhoods – 212 trains/day Neighborhoods request to run quiet through the crossings (no horns, no bells on gates) during EIS process RTD makes request to PUC – blind community has concerns Coordination between blind community, neighbors, RTD and PUC to reach compromise:

• noise demonstrations of various sounds and noise levels • on-site demonstrations with RTD, blind community • neighborhood walks with residents, RTD, blind community • on-site demonstrations of compromise agreement

PUC accepts compromise solution

Integrated Testing

West Rail Line Safety Reviews

APTA Peer Review – June 2012 MAP 21-based “Readiness” Reviews – for Integrated Testing, Revenue Service Safety/Security Readiness Review (SSRR)

FTA Safety and Security, Washington DC

Readiness for Revenue Operations

Review of documents – April 2012 Draft Report – December 2012 Close Out Tour – April 2013 Participants FTA PMOC Evaluation Team RTD Project Management RTD Systems Engineering RTD Safety and Security RTD Rail Operations

13

West Rail Line turned over to Light Rail Operations

March 5, 2013

West Rail Schedule Operations Phase

March 4 – March 24: Staff training over the line (+200 Transportation Dept)

March 25 – April 26: Pre-revenue operations, schedule proving, First Responder drills, tours

April 13 - Family Day

April 26 - Opening Day Ceremonies

April 27 – Station Parties, Free Ride

April 28 – “Regular” Service!

Lessons Learned

MAP 21 is new; both the regulators and the property were in a “learning” mode

Having a good relationship with Local/Regional FTA

staff is helpful Having agreed-upon document transfer (Aconex)

vehicle assures sure information flow

Lessons Learned continued

Clearly-defined phases was helpful:

Construction phase

Integrated Test phase

A bright line between “testing” phase and “Operations” ownership

• Critical elements must be completed and functional

Grand Opening April 26, 2013

New Light Rail System Map

Austin Jenkins, AGM Rail Operations

Jim Starling, WRL Project Manager