Edmond Corridor Overview

Webinar PresentationJanuary 21, 2014Commuter Corridors StudyWelcome!

ACOG rep introduces URS team members on phone and then Diane takes over1Why are we here?Study Goal: Determine the viability of high-capacity transit in the Central Oklahoma regionProject Sponsors:Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG)Del City; Edmond; Midwest City; Moore; Norman; Oklahoma CityConsultant Team:URS CorporationAlliance Transportation GroupButzer Gardner ArchitectsDunbar Transportation ConsultingEconomic & Planning SystemsGuernseyRedbud Marketing

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Diane2Regional Transit Dialogue (RTD)3

Initiated by ACOG in cooperation with local partners in spring 2009Engages locally elected officials, policy stakeholders, private sector leaders, and general publicDesigned to define how transit can serve the Central Oklahoma region in the futureBuilds on recommendations from Fixed Guideway StudyGuides CentralOK!go Commuter Corridors StudyConsiders public input from workgroups and public open housesMakes final study recommendations

Diane3What is the Purpose of the Study?Enhance regional mobility and provide transportation optionsAnalyze transportation options in three corridors identified in the regions 2005 Fixed Guideway Study:Between Edmond and Downtown OKCBetween Midwest City/TAFB and Downtown OKCBetween Norman and Downtown OKCGenerate a locally preferred alternative for each corridor4

Diane4Getting Everyone Involved Community & Stakeholder Workgroup MeetingsRound 1: July 2013Round 2: November 2013Round 3: Spring 2014Public Open HousesRound 1: November 2013 Round 2: Spring 2014NewslettersIssue 1: January 2014 Issue 2: Spring 2014Issue 3: Summer 2014WebinarJanuary 2014

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Diane5What are the Steps of the Study?6

Diane6Review of Study Goals, Objectives, and Criteria Used in Alignment Analysis7

Diane7Study Goals & Objectives8Umbrella Goal: Enhance Quality of LifeEnhance Regional Connectivity and Increase Equitable AccessMaximize connection of major activity centers in the regionProvide access to limited mobility (e.g., low-income and zero-car) populationsMaximize the use of dedicated right-of-waySupport Economic Development and Shape GrowthServe areas with highest existing/projected population and employment densitiesMaximize development/redevelopment opportunitiesServes areas slated for transit-friendly development (e.g., mixed use or transit-oriented development)Compatibility with current and future land use plansProvide a Balanced and Coordinated Multimodal Transportation SystemMaximize opportunities for multi-modal connections (i.e., connections with major roadways, bike lanes, and bike/pedestrian trails)Provide transit service in the areas with the worst congestionMaximize Regional ParticipationProvide access/connect to a variety of jurisdictions in order to increase the number of potential funding sources available to the projectConsistency with local comprehensive plans/input and regional transportation plan (Encompass 2035)

Diane8Additional Goals from WorkgroupsNorth WorkgroupProvide an easy to use service with a focus on multimodal connectionsMaximize the ability to access local, regional, and federal funding to build and operate the service through governance

East WorkgroupProvide for future transit growth through preservation of existing freight corridorsProvide travel options to major activity centers, including last mile connection within the East Corridor and the region

South WorkgroupProvide a reliable and convenient serviceEnhance the transit and land use nexus9

Diane9Alignment Analysis Evaluation Criteria Enhance Regional Connectivity10GoalObjectiveCriteriaDescriptionEnhance Regional Connectivity Maximize connections between major activity centersNumber of Activity CentersWithin half-mile of each alignmentRegionally Significant Activity CenterSignificant Activity Center Locally Significant Activity CentersProvide access to limited mobility populationsPercentage of zero-car householdsBased on 2010 Census dataWithin half-mile of each alignmentRankings based on natural breaks in the dataPercentage of individuals below poverty thresholdBased on 2010 Census dataWithin half-mile of each alignmentRankings based on natural breaks in the dataMaximize the use of dedicated right-of-way (ROW)Ability of existing ROW to accommodate dedicated ROWQualitative assessment of the ability to accommodate dedicated transit ROWEach alignment ranked as positive, neutral, or negativeDiane10Evaluation Criteria and Screening - Overview11

Purpose: To evaluate each potential high-capacity transit alignment and identify the most viable alignments in each corridorMethodology:Used quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria based on established goals and objectives for the studyScoring and RankingEach alignment scored as positive (1; green), neutral (0; yellow), or negative (-1; red) for each criterion and totaled across all criteriaCorridor weighting applied to each criterionNegative scores subtracted from positive scores to determine total points for each alignment

Diane

11Review of Alignments Analyzed, Results of Analysis, and Recommended Alignments and Modes12

Diane turns it over to Ian1213

Alignment Identification ProcessPurpose: To identify potential alignments for evaluation of high-capacity transitMethodology:Reviewed various corridor-level maps:Population and employment densitiesMajor activity centersLimited mobility populationsExisting transit ridershipCapacity of existing transportation corridorsIdentified potential alignments based on the above maps and evaluated potential benefits, issues, and fatal flaws for eachEstablished alignments for evaluationReceived feedback on alignments from workgroups and tweaked portions of some alignments

Ian13Alignments Evaluated South Corridor14

Ian14Alignment Analysis Results South Corridor15Ian

Note The stacked graph represents the balanced, weighted scores for each goal category. For alignments that receive negative scores in some categories (e.g. S1, S2, and S6) the negative values are subtracted from the positive values in order to reach the total score. The black diamond represents the total score and is consistent with the height shown on previous bar graphs.15Alignment Analysis South Corridor16South Workgroup feedback indicated Enhance Regional Connectivity goal should be weighted the highestAlignments S1, S2, and S4 received the highest scores for this goalS2 and S4 also performed well on Support Economic Development and Shape GrowthS1, S2, and S4 are the highest ranked alignments overall in the South Corridor and are the RTD-recommended alignmentsIan1617South Corridor Alignments Recommended for Detailed Analysis S1, S2 and S4

Ian17Alignments Evaluated East Corridor18

Ian18Alignment Analysis Results East Corridor19Ian19Alignment Analysis East Corridor20Workgroup feedback indicated Enhance Regional Connectivity and Support Economic Development & Shape Growth scores should be weighted the highestAlignments E5, E6, and E7 all scored positively for both goalsE7 did not score well on Provide a Balanced & Coordinated Multimodal SystemE5 and E6 are the highest ranked alignments overall in the East Corridor and are recommended for detailed analysisE1 is also recommended for detailed analysis as the only all-rail alignment in the corridor

Ian2021East Corridor Alignments Recommended for Detailed Analysis E1, E5 and E6

Ian21Alignments Evaluated North Corridor22

Ian22Alignment Analysis Results North Corridor23Ian

Note The stacked graph represents the balanced, weighted scores for each goal category. For alignments that receive negative scores in some categories (e.g. N1 and N7) the negative values are subtracted from the positive values in order to reach the total score. The black diamond represents the total score an is consistent with the height shown on previous bar graphs.

Diane - In the north corridor you will see that we propose to take the top two ranked alignments (N2 and N3) as well as the rail alignment (N1) even though the rail alignment scores badly in this round of analysis. We debated this and ultimately decided that we cant eliminate the rail alignment mid-project. We propose to point this issue out to RTD and if they decide as a committee to go ahead and drop it then we will. We decided that this is really something that we need steering committee feedback on.

23Alignment Analysis North Corridor24Workgroup feedback indicated Enhance Regional Connectivity scores should be weighted the highestAlignments N2, N3, N4, N6 and N7 all scored positively on Enhance Regional Connectivity N6 and N7 did not score well on Support Economic Development & Shape GrowthN2 and N3 are the highest ranked alignments in the North Corridor and are recommendedN1 is the rail ROW alignment and is recommended as wellN7 scored the highest on Enhance Regional Connectivity and is recommended

Ian2425North Corridor Alignments Recommended for Detailed Analysis N1, N2, N3 and N7

Ian25All Corridor Alignments Recommended for Further Analysis26

NormanMooreOklahoma CityEdmondMidwest CityIan26Modal Analysis for Recommended Alignments in Each Corridor27

Ian turns it over to Brian27Modal Analysis28Alignments recommended for additional analysis will also be evaluated for logical modal alternativesMode: type of transit technology and vehicle used for a particular transit alignment (e.g. commuter rail, bus rapid transit, etc.)Not all modes appropriate for all corridorsThe OCARTS model will assist team in identifying appropriate modes for each recommended alignmentPublic and stakeholder feedback regarding preferred modes will inform the analysis as wellBrian28Modes Under Consideration29

Brian2930South Corridor Alignments Recommended for Detailed Analysis S1, S2 and S4

Brian3031East Corridor Alignments Recommended for Detailed Analysis E1, E5 and E6

Brian3132North Corridor Alignments Recommended for Detailed Analysis N1, N2, N3 and N7

Brian32Completed TasksTasks completed to date:IdentifyRTD-identified study goalsWorkgroup-identified corridor-specific goals and objectivesTransportation issues & opportunitiesExisting conditionsScreenAlignment analysisInitial modal analysisOutreachRTD meetings1st and 2nd round workgroup meetings1st round open houses1st Newsletter

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Brian turns it back over to Diane33Coming Up NextConsider all input from RTD, workgroups, and public open housesDetailed analysis of alternativesWork with RTD, stakeholders, and public to identify the locally preferred alternative (LPA)More workgroup meetings and public open houses in spring 2014Please visit our website: centralokgo.org

34Diane34We need your input and your help!Complete the surveywww.surveymonkey.com/s/centralokgoVisit project websitecentralokgo.orgSign up for our mailing listStay current on project updatesTell your friends, family, and co-workersStay engaged and help us plan for high-capacity transit in Central Oklahoma!

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Diane35

www. centralokgo.org

Commuter Corridors Study

Thank you for attending!Any Questions or Comments?

WebinarJanuary 21, 2014

Diane wraps up presentation and opens floor for questions and comments (written only; attendees still on mute)36