winter park sunrail implementation guide

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Lessons Learned ConnectivityAssistance ProgramsPublic Education SafetyStakeholdersNext Steps

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Preface and Acknowledegements SunRail, a commuter rail system designed to connect center cities to suburbs, is sched-uled to begin service in the Orlando area in Fall 2014. Getting the SunRail system built and operating is a major task that has required a collaboration of city, state and federal agencies. Now is the time to plan locally to prepare for the arrival of SunRail. This report focuses on the opportunities that need to be addressed to prepare for SunRail. In addition, the report identifies the stakeholders best poised to take advantage of the opportunities to make SunRail successful for the community.

This report was produced by the students in the Politics of Place class of the Masters of Planning and Civic Urbanism program at Rollins College. Professor Richard Foglesong provided the class with thoughtful insight and guidance.

Jose Carlos Ayala Michael BoyntonAnthony BrunittiSarah ElbadriJeffery Karsch

Thank you to the following community members who gave up their time to speak with us.

Harry Barley Executive Director of MetroPlan OrlandoKen Bradley Mayor of Winter ParkPatrick Chapin President/CEO Winter Park Chamber of CommerceMarianne Gurnee SunRail Public LiaisonJill Hamilton Healthy Central FloridaLisa Portelli Winter Park Health FoundationTony Walter LYNX Director of Planning and DevelopmentBrian Wettstein Past President of Park Avenue Area AssociationMikeWilson Smart Growth Planner at Metroplan Orlando

Gene MooreLinda PuritzJared SchneiderScott TessHeather Tribou

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Table of Contents

Introduction....................................................................5

Lessons Learned...............................................................9

Connectivity..................................................................15

Commuter Assistance Programs...........................................31

Public Education............................................................ 37

Safety...........................................................................43

Stakeholders..................................................................47

Conclusion & Next Steps...................................................53

Table Summary................................................................55

Preface and Acknowledegements

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Proposed Winter Park SunRail Station- North Elevation

Proposed Winter Park SunRail Station- West Elevation

by ACi

by ACi

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Introduction SunRail is a commuter rail system described as the spine of a larger mass transit system in Central Florida. It is designed to connect the city center to the suburbs, and is scheduled to begin service in Fall 2014. Getting SunRail built and operational is a major task that has required cooperation on local, state and federal levels. However, once the system is built, there are still many issues that need to be addressed to ensure its viability and success. This report focuses on these tasks, and identifies the key stakeholders who are best poised to lead this cause.

The Winter Park SunRail station is part of the phase-one build out within a 125 year-old city that has grown up around its historic station. Winter Park occupies an interesting position of leadership. Its transit-oriented development is one of the most pedestrian-friendly environments in Central Florida. Yet, as this white paper stresses, the city also has a responsibility to continue its leadership as a transit-oriented community. Based on a review of select rail systems implemented in the last decade, and interviews with local experts and community scholars, this document is a call to action.

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Rail transportation played an important role in developing the City of Winter Park and Central Florida. The first building erected in the town of Winter Park was the train depot, dedicated by a picnic celebration on March 18, 1882.The notable features of Winter Park, such as it brick roads, Park Avenue, museums, Rollins College, and vernacular architecture homes, were created through the planned development of private investors, like Francis B. Knowles, Mr. Wilson Phelps, Charles H. Morse, Colonel Franklin Fairbanks, William Charles Comstock, Oliver Everett Chapman, and Loring Augusta Chase. The railroad and yearlong warmer climate brought wealthy Northern investors into Winter Park, connecting it regionally.

Commuter rail existed in Winter Park back in March 1889 when the Orlando-Winter Park Railroad laid tracks six miles between the two cities. This route, known as “the Dinky Line,” connected students in Orlando to their courses at Rollins College along a 30 minute route. This line ran for decades until automobile use replaced the train. Rail tracks were eventually removed in 1969.

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History

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Lessons Learned from Other Rail Systems

To benefit from lessons learned in other cities, it is helpful to review rail passenger systems built in the U.S. in the past decade or so, namely those in Salt Lake City, Charlotte, Minneapolis, Nashville, Austin and Phoenix. Where relevant, notes regarding other rail systems are included.

Basic Facts301

City Name Transit Type # of Lines

# of Sta�ons

Daily Ridership 2012 Q1

Open Year Miles

Salt Lake City UTA TRAX Light Rail 3 41 57200 1999 35.3Salt Lake City UTA FrontRunner Commuter

Rail 1 7 5600 2008 44

Charlo�e Lynx Rapid Transit Services Light Rail 1 15 15000 2007 9.6

Minneapolis NorthstarCommuter Rail 1 6 2100 2009 40

Nashville Music City StarCommuter Rail 1 6 1100 2006 32

Aus�n Capital MetroRailCommuter Rail 1 9 1600 2010 32

Phoenix Metro Light Rail Light Rail 1 32 44000 2008 20

Username: vxla

10 Lessons Learned

Transportation Authority must adapt to the demands of voters without losing the long-term vision for a rail system: In Austin, when Capital Metrorail first appeared on the ballot in 2000, its $1.9 billion proposal was too grandiose and complex for Austin’s suburban voters to pass the referendum. Capital Metro reevaluated the 2000 proposal and appropriately reintroduced a scaled-back version in 2004 to meet the demands of voters to ensure Austin had a rail system instead of losing it all. Since Capital Metro changed the plans and price tag to meet the demands of both urban and suburban voters, the 2004 referendum passed.302

Sharing freight lines can negatively impact ridership: In Salt Lake City, the final 6 miles of commuter rail track (from Odgen to Pleasant View) is shared with the Utah Transit Authority and Union Pacific Railroad. Due to sharing, very limited commuter rail service was offered. In September 2011, service ended with authorities citing low ridership.303

Connectivity is Key: Many cities, such as Minneapolis, have an intricately connected bus-rail system.304 In Santa Clara, CA, the Valley Transit Authority offers free shuttle buses from select light rail stations to employment centers.305

Offer Amenities for bicyclists: Many stations feature bike lockers while all trains and buses offer bike racks.306 Although we may consider the Florida weather a deterrent to biking, the Salt Lake City winter is an equal deterrent. Perhaps the bicyclists only come out during the “better weather” season, but during that time, you want them on your buses and trains.

Offer Amenities for riders: In Austin, free Wi-Fi is available on rail cars.307

Attract Choice Riders: According to the Texas Transportation Institute, the key to mass transit reducing congestion is to attract choice riders (those who would otherwise choose to drive). A DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) 2004 study showed that 82% of its rail riders were riders of choice, while 59% of its bus riders were riders of choice.308 A study by CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) indicated that 72% of Lynx (rail) riders did not use public transportation prior to its completion.309

Fares must be affordable and cost less than driving: In Austin, fares were recently reduced. In some eyewitness accounts of Nashville’s rail system, the cost to ride may exceed the cost of driving, which no doubt contributes to the ridership struggle in that city.310 And while this Nashville account doesn’t factor in car ownership expenses, the

11Lessons Learned

limitations of a starter commuter rail system would not motivate most car owners to sell their vehicles.

Connect to where people are and where they want to be: In Minneapolis, commuter rail connects to the University of Minneapolis. The result in 2011 was a ridership of 20,000 students who took 2.8 million rides.311 There is also a commuter stop in Minneapolis for Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, which enables ridership to and from games, concerts and other special events. In Salt Lake City Rail transit connects to the University of Utah and Rice-Eccles stadium (site of the 2002 Winter Olympics).312

Extend hours that will work with people’s needs (and wants): In Austin, within a year of operation, Capital Metro listened to the demands of riders by increasing the number of scheduled stops during peak hours, extending the hours of operation and adding services during the weekend and for special events.313 In Charlotte, light rail already had weekend hours but has just extended them to 1:30 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.314 Minneapolis runs its trains during prime times (morning and evening), as well as regular weekend service (three round trips per day) and additional service for special events.315 According to an article on rail

in Cincinnati, only 20% of daily trips are for commuting.316 It might be a boost to ridership to find ways to add hours to provide service for some of those other trips.

Find companies and organizations that have a vested interest in areas around transit stations to construct TOD’s: In Salt Lake City, the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) developed a $1.5 billion TOD called City Creek Center, which features 20 acres of retail, residential and an office space. It opened in March and has already become a destination light-rail stop for employees who work outside of the development. City Creek Center is located adjacent to the Temple Square, which is an 11-block area featuring the Church’s headquarters and significant religious buildings. While other TOD’s stalled due to economic factors (real estate market, recession), City Creek Center had strong financial backing enabling it to be completed.317

Offer Demo Days to show people how comfortable and easy it is to ride rail: Charlotte offered two days of free rides on its light rail system, and featured a staggering 60,000 riders in their first day.318 Salt Lake City hosted 30,000 riders on its commuter rail system over two days. Both of these rail systems have exceeded projected ridership.319

12 Lessons Learned

Charlotte Lynx Rail Stop h�p://www.flickr.com/photos

Address parking challenges at stations: A Study by DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit), cited by the Texas Transportation Institute, concluded that adequate station parking was essential for ridership growth.320 In New Haven, CT, government agencies make many efforts to encourage choice riders to turn to mass transit, however as the Connecticut Post reports, “The push to get Nutmeggers to give up their cars leaves many scratching their heads. Newer train cars are nice, they say, but unless they can get a parking spot in the vicinity of the train station, what good will it do?”321

Make the ticket buying process easy, and offer discounts to students, large employers and frequent-riders: Salt Lake City offers annual passes for students and employers. Employer passes are at a reduced cost and are only for fixed-routes.322 In Minneapolis, as well as other places, rail riders are able to purchase tickets online, enabling them the convenience of planning ahead while also reducing anxiety for new rail riders unfamiliar with the process.323

Offer real-time status updates online: The Minneapolis MetroTransit324 and New Jersey Transit systems feature “real-time” departures to help riders plan their trips home. Likewise, the New Jersey system offers a full application called DepartureVision where riders can sign up for alerts to be notified when there is a delay with information sent directly to mobile devices. 325

Use buses and other non-rail forms of transit to fill in the gaps once you’ve attracted riders: When service to the Pleasant View Station ended, Salt Lake City’s transit authority replaced the rail trips with bus trips, noting even an uptick in ridership due to more bus routes and a better schedule. 326 In Central Florida, added bus trips in the same service areas could be used over the weekend or other “commuter times” not covered by SunRail. This is particularly important with Central Florida’s healthcare and hospitality industries, which both operate at full capacity seven days per week.

Username: davidwilson1949

13Lessons Learned Lessons Learned

301 Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2012. (May 18,

2012). American Public Transporta�on Associa�on.

302 Capital Metropolitan Transporta�on Authority. (n.d.).

Retrieved June 15, 2011 from the CMTA Wiki: h�p://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_Metropolitan_Transporta�on_

Authority

303 “UTA: More Bus Riders in Pleasant View a�er FrontRunner

Service Cuts.” Standard-Examiner. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June

2012.

304 Northstar Line. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2012 from

the Northstar Line Wiki: h�p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Northstar_Line

305 www.vta.org

306 www.rideuta.com

307 www.capmetro.org/riding/Current_schedules/schedule_

book/metrorail_guide.pdf

308 Arndt, J., Morgan, C., Overman, J.H., Clower,

T.L., Weinstein, B.L., & Seman, M. (September 2009).

Transporta�on, Social and Economic Impacts of Light and

Commuter Rail. Texas Department of Transporta�on.

309 Lynx Rapid Transit Services. (n.d.). Retrieved June

20, 2012 from the Lynx Rapid Transit Services Wiki: h�p://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynx_Rapid_Transit_Services

310 Rolen, B. (April 7, 2011). Riding the Music City Star isn’t for

everyone, but it’s hard to beat the train for a relaxing commute.

Nashville Scene.

311 Northstar Line. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2012 from the

Northstar Line Wiki: h�p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northstar_Line

312 Metro Transit Ridership Grows to 60 Million Through Q3;

on Pace to Top 80 Million in 2011. (October 25, 2011).Commuter

Connec�on

313 Capital Metropolitan Transporta�on Authority. (n.d.).

Retrieved June 15, 2011 from the CMTA Wiki: h�p://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Capital_Metropolitan_Transporta�on_Authority

314 Charlo�e’s light rail to run later on weekends. (June 22,

2012). Retrieved June 23, 2013, from h�p://www.wbtv.com/

story/18855957/charlo�es-light-rail-to-run-later-on-weekends

315 Northstar Line. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2012 from the

Northstar Line Wiki: h�p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northstar_Line

316 What Indianapolis Can Learn from Cincinna�’s Rail Lessons.

(October 7, 2010). h�p://urban-out.com

317 City Creek Center. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2012 from City

Creek Center Wiki: h�p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Creek_

Center

318 Lynx Rapid Transit Services. (n.d.). Retrieved June 20, 2012

from the Lynx Rapid Transit Services Wiki: h�p://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Lynx_Rapid_Transit_Services

319 FrontRunner. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2012 from

FrontRunner Wiki: h�p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FrontRunner

320 Arndt, J., Morgan, C., Overman, J.H., Clower, T.L., Weinstein,

B.L., & Seman, M. (September 2009). Transporta�on, Social

and Economic Impacts of Light and Commuter Rail. Texas

Department of Transporta�on.

321 Reilly, G. (February 16, 2010). Hard-to-find parking spaces

challenge Metro-North riders. Connec�cut Post.

322 www.rideuta.com

323 www.metrotransit.org/passes-go-to-cards.aspx

324 www.metrotransit.org/

325 h�p://m.njtransit.com/mo/mo_servlet.

srv?hdnPageAc�on=DvTo

326 FrontRunner. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2012 from

FrontRunner Wiki: h�p://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FrontRunner

Charlotte Interior h�p://www.flickr.com/photoUsername: Willamor Media

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Jose Carlos Ayala Jose Carlos Ayala

Jose Carlos Ayala

Jose Carlos Ayala

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Challenges

Solutions

Stakeholder Involvements

Winter Park’s SunRail station connects residents and businesses in our community to the Central Florida region. However, city stakeholders need to work together for the benefit of Winter Parks residents to increase SunRail connectivity, ridership, and to attract economic activity.

Destinations such as the Winter Park Village, Park Avenue, Rollins College, Winter Park Tech, Valencia Community College, Winter Park Memorial Hospital, Morse Boulevard Business District, Hannibal Square, Alfonso Inn, and the Winter Park Public Library are all major hubs of activity. By improving connectivity between these hubs, Winter Park’s businesses and residents will benefit from SunRail’s regional connection to other major cities.

1. The design of sidewalks and roadways outside of major hubs do not provide adequate safety and connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists.

2. Current transportation services need to improve connections and frequency for SunRail users.

3. The existing parking surrounding the Winter Park train station is not sufficiently planned to support increased activity and SunRail ridership.

1. Improve the built urban environment and modify roadway designs to support pedestrians and bicyclists.

2. Increase the frequency of bus connection services and offer new proposed routes with Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.

3. Work with businesses and implement shared parking regulations to improve overall efficiency.

City of Winter Park Rollins CollegeFlorida Department of Transportation SunRailPublix Winter Park Memorial Hospital

Connectivity

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Winter Park

ValenciaCommunity

College

Winter ParkVillage

Winter ParkTech

RollinsCollege

Winter ParkMemorialHospital

The Mayflower

Connectivity

SunRail’s Winter Park station offers great retail and leisure opportunities for commuters riding the train and for those visiting Winter Park. The ¼ mile radius surrounding the commuter train station is one of the friendliest pedestrian environments in Central Florida. Yet, outside this radius, connectivity between major employers, retail businesses, and other destinations remains a challenge.

To increase SunRail ridership and economic activity within Winter Park, connectivity between the major hubs needs improvement. After taking into consideration other commuter and light rail successes and failures, subscribers to this study recommend the following alternatives:

17Connectivity

Pedestrian Environment and Thoroughfares Improvements:

The City of Winter Park works diligently to improve existing sidewalks for pedestrian safety within the urban core of Park Avenue. However, the following improvements need consideration to support pedestrian connectivity between major hubs in Winter Park.

• Reduce the speed limit on collector roads, avenues, parkways, and streets to increase pedestrian safety. It is preferred that road design speeds do not exceed 30 MPH.

• Ensure that all crosswalks are well marked and inform drivers that it is Florida law to yield to pedestrians.

• Take care that all sidewalk widths follow The Center for Applied Transect Studieshttp://transect.org/transect.html or Context Sensitive Design methodologies as explained in Design Walkable Urban Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach by the by the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

• Add well-marked pedestrian crossings halfway down blocks longer than 1,000 feet.• Require pedestrian crosswalks with medians providing safe harbor and a bulb out to decrease

crossing distance at all intersections with four or more traffic lanes. Furthermore, the amount of time allowed to cross the intersection must increase to provide enough time to cross a large roadway.

• Include on street parking to serve as a protective barrier between pedestrians and traffic on all thoroughfares.

• Plant more trees along sidewalks to provide an aesthetically pleasing canopy and shade for pedestrians.

• Offer infill-development incentives within a two-mile radius of the train station to increase densities and to create a “room enclosure,” or pedestrian friendly character.

• Make sure that all building façades face roads to make the character of the environment more appealing and safe for pedestrians.

• Introduce native Florida plants into landscaping to reduce irrigation and create unique and aesthetically pleasing features.

Jose Carlos Ayala Jose Carlos Ayala Jose Carlos Ayala

18 Connectivity

Bicycle Connectivity:

The City of Winter Park, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, Park Avenue Association and other stakeholders should consider the benefits of bicycle connectivity within the city’s urban core. An example worth emulating is the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden, which has brought economic benefits to that city. These actions might be taken:

• Integrating bike lanes with a minimum width of five feet on major thoroughfares.• Placing proper designations on bike lanes, using colored paths or alternative roadway

materials to distinguish the bike lane from the roadway. • Incorporating different bike lane design approaches as used in other cities.• Adding additional safety barriers to bike lanes on Lee Road, North Orlando Avenue

and State Road 17-92, North Denning Drive, West Fairbanks Avenue, North and South Lakemont Avenue, Osceola Avenue and Aloma Avenue.

• Adding bicycle sharing pavement signs to all two–lane roads.• Installing additional bicycle racks throughout the city to encourage the use of bicycles. • Introducing a bicycle-sharing program with rental kiosks at all major hubs.

Jose Carlos Ayala Jose Carlos Ayala

19Connectivity

NEV and Bike Sharing Special Lanes:

Lynx’s existing bus route and schedule do not provide appropriate connectivity to the Winter Park SunRail station. Introducing transportation design routes, such as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) with schedules that mirror the SunRail station schedule will improve connectivity between major hubs. These major hubs include the Winter Park Village, Winter Park Tech, Valencia Community College, Park Avenue, Winter Park Memorial Hospital, the Morse Boulevard Business District, Hannibal Square, Rollins College, Alfond Inn, and the Winter Park Public Library. Improving connectivity from Winter Park’s SunRail Station to these stakeholders will increase ridership and pedestrian traffic within the community. The creation of a specially designated lane on Morse Boulevard will accommodate NEV’s and Bike Sharing to increase interconnectivity. The stakeholders located along the newly created NEV routes might contribute for these additional services, since their employees and clientele will utilize these connections. These actions might be taken:

• Ensure that Neighborhood Electric Vehicles NEV and Bike Sharing lanes are a minimum of 8 feet wide.

• Create proper designations for bike lanes with colored paths or alternative roadway materials to distinguish the bike lane from the roadway.

• When possible, Integrate special lanes for NEV’s and bike lanes on major thoroughfares..

• Place stops along each route to serve stakeholders.• Use NEVs that accommodate 8 or more passengers and have air conditioning.• Do not incorporate these changes along Mizell Avenue in order to maintain the unique

character of this neighborhood.

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greenskid.com

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NEV and Bike’s West Route Loop

Legend:NEV Stop

Valencia CollegeWinter Park Campus

Winter Park Tech

Winter Park Village

Hanibbal Square

Connectivity

NEV’s West Route Loop

Starting on Winter Park Station to Morse Boulevard turn right onto North Denning Drive, turn left on West Canton Avenue, enter right onto Winter Park Village via Galloway Drive, continue up to West Webster Avenue, turn right on North Denning Drive, turn left on Morse Boulevard and end at the SunRail Station.

22 Connectivity

NEV and Bike’s East Route Loop

Rollins CollegeAlfonso Inn

Legend:NEV Stop

Winter ParkMemorial Hospital

Polasek Museum & Sculture Garden

23Connectivity

NEV’s East Route Loop

Starting on Winter Park Station to Morse Boulevard turn right onto South Interlachen Avenue, turn left on East New England Avenue, turn left at the intersection of Chase Avenue and East Fairbanks Avenue, turn right on Osceola Avenue, and turn left on Mizell Avenue until Winter Park Memorial on North Lakemont Avenue.

NEV and Bike’s East Route Loop

Rollins CollegeAlfonso Inn

Legend:NEV Stop

Winter ParkMemorial Hospital

Polasek Museum & Sculture Garden

24 Connectivity

Jose Carlos Ayala

www.golynx.com

25Connectivity

Bus Service:Lynx services the City of Winter Park and the major stakeholders (see below); however, the frequency of their service is limited. To increase connectivity and ridership, SunRail’s commuters require reliable connections. Lynx should therefore increase the frequency of service on these routes

The following recommendations will improve reliability and connectivity and create a safer commuter environment.

• Adjust the schedule for Lynx routes 1, 9, 14, 23, and 443 to mirror SunRail schedule at peak time.

• To maintain the City of Winter Park’s character, Lynx should employ smaller buses in their fleet within a two-mile radius of Winter

Park’s downtown.• Encourage Lynx and

SunRail to partner in offering a simple transfer fare for riders.

• Increase bicycle rack capacity on buses.

• Create an interactive smart phone application with Global Positions System (GPS) with live, up-to-date bus schedules.

• Provide shelter from rain as well as trashcans at all bus stops.

• Use Lynx’s NeighborLink and Access Lynx to provide service to the Mayflower Retirement Community, Winter Park Memorial, and others commuters with special needs within Winter Park’s city limits.

Source: Lynx power point presenta�on for Rollins College

26 Connectivity

Parking:

The City of Winter Park’s SunRail Station is going to use the existing Amtrak parking lot for future riders. While the city has several parking garages in downtown Winter Park, there is a concern among retail, services, and restaurant owners that commuter rail passengers will fill the existing parallel parking spaces on Park Avenue. Parking is necessary to make Winter Park’s SunRail station not only a destination, but a point of departure. Increasing ridership requires a shared parking strategy to address the concerns of businesses and to guarantee parking spots for SunRail commuters.

The following are recommendations to increase parking availability for future SunRail passengers and Park Avenue consumers.

• The City of Winter Park, Winter Park Chambers of Commerce, Park Avenue Business Associations and major stakeholders should support a shared-parking program and agree to open parking spaces when they are not in use.

• The City of Winter Park should issue decals and require Park Avenue’s retail, service, and restaurant employees to park off of Park Avenue in designated private parking spaces and parking garage spaces.

• When feasible, on-street parking should be encouraged. • Free on street parking should be limited to two hours for the entire week.• The City of Winter Park should provide incentives for businesses to participate in shared

parking.• Create an interactive smart phone application with parking locations and schedules.• Install signs indicating parking locations • Stakeholders should indicate and market parking locations.

by ACi

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Winter Park

ValenciaCommunity

College

Winter ParkVillage

Winter ParkTech

RollinsCollege

Winter ParkMemorialHospital

The Mayflower

Connectivty

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Water Taxi and Kayak Sharing

Boat Ramp LocationsProposedBoat Ramps

Connectivity

29Connectivty

Water Taxis and Kayak Sharing:

The Winter Park Chain of Lakes already connects the Cities of Maitland and Winter Park through a series of navigable channels suitable for boats and kayaks. These lakes are important to the history of our region and offer spectacular scenery and recreation. Lakes Minnehaha, Maitland, Osceola, Virginia, and Mizell offer a unique opportunity to create Water Taxi and kayak sharing services for citizens living around the lakes who prefer traveling by water. The following actions deserve consideration:

• Conducting an economic feasibility study to determine the potential success of this project.

• Introducing a Blueway Trail System through the Winter Park Chain of Lakes, as modeled by the City of Casselberry.

• Ask the City of Winter Park to modify the Maitland and Dinky Dock public boat ramps, Kraft Azalea Gardens dock, and approach other private entities, like Rollins College, to provide Water Taxi stops and kayak rental kiosks and kayak racks.

• Invite Winter Park’s Scenic Boat tour to undertake this entrepreneurial activity by extending their service and frequency.

entrepreneur.com boatdesign.net

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h�p://www.soundtransit.org

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Commuter Assistance Programs

Challenges

Solutions

Stakeholder Involements

A key element for making SunRail successful will be meeting the system’s ridership goals. Commuter assistance programs are one way to encourage ridership. They can help companies and their employees understand the benefits associated with riding SunRail, including financial benefits such as tax credits. There are several commuter assistance programs or resources that can help employers and employees understand the benefits of riding SunRail. This section will provide background on the different commuter assistance programs available, as well as the challenges of communicating the tax and financial benefits of riding SunRail.

This section will also provide solutions and strategies that local stakeholders in Winter Park, including Rollins College, can start implementing in the short-term to help make SunRail a success in Winter Park as well as a way to market to future/potential employers and employees.

1. Educating employers on the tax benefits of employees riding SunRail2. Educating employers on how to provide tax benefits to employers.3. Educating employees on commuter benefits provided by their employers.

1. Provide employers with information on tax benefits to encourage them to encourage their employees to ride SunRail and other modes of transportation.2. Help employees to understand financial benefits of riding SunRail.

1. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the City of Winter Park (Sustainability Program), and other stakeholders in the city should continue to communicate to employers and residents about the commuter services program (reThink)2. Involve Rollins College (employees and students), the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce or other employers in reThink or other commuter assistance programs.

32 Commuter Assistance Programs

Background Assistance ProgramsCurrently there are several programs that can help employers to encourage their employees to ride SunRail. These resources include a wealth of educational information. A few of the current programs are included below:

reThink is an FDOT program that asks people to “rethink” how they get to work. The program is also promoted by the City of Winter Park Sustainability program. FDOT uses the program to work with companies to set up worksite programs to help employees find a different way to commute to work, as well as offering individual commuter assistance.Services Provided: According to the reThink website, they offer several services to employers, including:

1. Worksite TransportationAssessment— free service that provides information on commute options available in the requested area as well as potential savings and impacts to companies carbon footprint by promoting alternative modes of transportation.

2. Employee TransportationAssessment—free service that provides analysis of employees’ commuting habits, pinpointing which employees could benefit from alternative modes by identifying potential carpool or vanpool groups and matching commuters with available bus and rail routes.

3. Commute Trip ReductionPrograms— Employee Commute TripReduction programs that will help the respective company decrease impacts on the community, as well as save money for the company and employees. reThink will work with companies to help change employee commuting habits.

4. FREE Training for EmployeeTransportation Coordinators—reThink works with what they call Employee Transportation Coordinators (ETCs), which are selected at each company, at employers’ offices and trains them to be effective Alternative Commute Leaders.

33Commuter Assistance Programs

Tax Incentives: Likely the most significant benefit that employers and employees can gain from SunRail are tax incentives. Under Section 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code (Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits), employers can Offer Commuter Tax Benefits. These reduce payroll taxes for employers and income taxes for employees. The Commuter Tax Benefit Programs according to reThink include:

1. Employer Covers the Cost- Employers can offer up $125* a month to their employees to pay for a transit pass, including an option to reimburse employees up to $20 a month for qualified bicycling commute expenses. If this amount would be provided to employees as additional income, the company would be taxed on it. The company is able to take a tax deduction.

2. Allow Employees to Set Aside Money Pre-Tax—This option is similar to setting money aside to pay for health expenses. The employer allows employees to use pre-tax income (up to $125 a month*) to pay for a transit pass or to cover vanpool expenses. Allowing employees to designate part of their income as “pre-tax” lowers the amount employers pay on payroll taxes.

3. Work Together—If employers cannot provide the benefit mentioned in 1 and 2 they can still provide a small subsidy and allow employees to set aside the difference through the pre-tax option.

4. Parking Cash-Out Program— If employers pay for employees to park their cars during the day, they can offer that money directly to employees instead (up to $240* a month – in place of their free parking space – to use on alternative transportation to work). The employer receives a tax deduction and saves over offering an increase of the same amount in gross income.*The benefits mentioned above are subject to changes in the IRS Tax code. For more information see:http://www.rethinkyourcommute.com

h�p://www.capmetro.org/metrorail

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Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC)Is a membership program that provides reports/resources that helps employers understand the benefits of alternative modes of transportation. Employers can receive national recognition on the list of Best Workplaces for Commuters by meeting the National Standard of Excellence. To qualify as one of the top workplaces each company must offer one of the following benefits:

1. At least $30/month towards a transit pass or vanpool pass (or the full cost of a pass if it is less than $30) to each employee who commutes using transit or a vanpool.2. At least 30 percent of employees participating in a pre-tax purchase of a monthly transit pass or vanpool pass of at least $30 per month (or the full cost of a pass if it is less than $30).3. A significant telework program that reduces by at least 6 percent the number of commuting trips employees make.

4. A significant compressed work week program that reduces by at least 6 percent the number of commuting trips employees make.5. At least $30 per month (in lieu of providing a parking spot) to each employee who leaves his/her car at home and commutes another way.6. An equivalent benefit that provides similar value to employees, reduces traffic and air pollution, and is agreed to by Best Workplaces for Commuters.34

According to their website, BWC provides assistance to participating employers by offering public recognition and promotion, technical assistance, training, Web-based tools, and forums for information exchange. Also included are resources such as briefs on tax benefits and ways to market to employees. This may be a potential marketing asset for Winter Park employers, including Rollins. As of 2012 there were 33 colleges and universities on the list.

BWC mentions these additional benefits for employers providing commuter assistance: 1) Attract and retain employees, 2) Solve parking challenges and cost, 3) Enjoy tax and cost savings, 4) Reduce environmental impacts, 5) Exhibit leadership and corporate citizenship, and 6) Add to national security.

For more information see: http://www.bestworkplaces.org

Commuter Assistance Programs

35Commuter Assistance Programs

Dump the Pump is a program run by the America Public Transportation Association. Each year the “National Dump the Pump day” is held to encourage people to take another form of transportation such as public transit. This may be a marketing opportunity for SunRail. For more information see: http://www.apta.com

Challenges/Solu�ons

Below are addi�onal details on what stakeholders in Winter Park can do to increase transit ridership. Some of theseSolu�ons are in progress.

Challenge #1: Educa�ng employers in Winter Park on the tax benefits of employees riding SunRail andChallenge #2: Educa�ng employerson how to provide tax benefits to employers.Solu�on: Provide employers with informa�on on tax benefits to encourage employers to encourage employees to ride SunRail and other modes of transporta�on.

The City of Winter Park (including theSustainability Program)1. Con�nue to coordinate with reThink.2. Target and iden�fy employers in Winter Park to par�cipate in reThink and other commuter services.

3. Encourage the Chamber of Commerce, ParkAvenue Associa�on and other stakeholders to set up presenta�ons to employees with the reThink program, especially regarding tax benefits.4. Provide employers with resources from the Best Workplaces for Commuters that include:

• Commuter Tax Benefits• Marke�ng Commuter Benefits toEmployees• Transit and Vanpool Benefits

5. Provide addi�onal tax exper�se by bringing financial experts to public workshops for employers (including HR staff) to be�er understand Sec�on 132(f) of the Internal Revenue Code.

SunRail and FDOT1. Work with employers who wish to provide transit vouchers and passes to their employees.

Other Services include commuter services provided by Lynx and Votran (Volusia County’s public transit system), which provide services such as Rideshare matching, Vanpooling, and Park Ride lots.

36 Commuter Assistance Programs

2. Provide free worksite and employee transporta�on services for employers wish to par�cipate such as Rollins College(reThink program).3. Provide specific informa�on for interested companies on tax savings that could be realized by employers who provide transit passes and vouchers.4. Poten�ally provide addi�onal incen�ves and awards to top companies with commuters.

Rollins College1. Do addi�onal analysis of how many employees and students live close to SunRail sta�ons.2. Look into offering up to $125* a month to employees to pay for transit passes as fringe benefits.3. Look into providing passes and vouchers for students and u�lize materials from Best Workplaces for the benefit of student and employee commuters. Review whether to 1) offer to cover cost of full benefit, 2) offer a pre-tax benefit, or 3) share the cost with employees.

Challenge #3: Educa�ng employees on commuter benefits provided by their employers.Solu�on: Help employees to understand financial benefits of riding SunRail.

The City of Winter Park (including the SustainabilityProgram)1. Encourage the Chamber of Commerce, Park Avenue Associa�on, and other stakeholders to discuss reThink and other commuter services for employees with employers who would like to par�cipate.

SunRail and FDOT1. Provide free training to Human Resources departments, as Employee Transporta�onCoordinators, to become experts in tax savings available as part of the reThink program.2. Provide informa�on to employers from the BestWorkplace for Commuters

• Marke�ng Commuter Benefits to Employees

3. List the employers involved in commuter assistance services at Winter Park sta�ons.4. Provide marke�ng materials that walk employers through ac�ons they can take to market to their employees from the Best Workplaces for Commuters website.

Rollins College1. Consider becoming part of the Best Workplaces for Commuters as a marke�ng piece.2. Give presenta�ons to employees describing transporta�on fringe benefits

37

Public Education

Challenges

Solutions


The success of SunRail will be proportional to ridership volume. Success will require a modal shift for many people who are unaccustomed to using s transit. This section discusses the psychosocial challenges that SunRail may encounter when seeking to increase ridership. These challenges involve strong emotions and long-held opinions regarding mass transit use. The question looms, “Why would one give up the comfort and control of their private automobile in favor of commuting via SunRail?”

1. Overcoming commuter anxiety caused by crowding, delays, inconvenience and safety.2. Understanding preconceived ideas about SunRail and influencing behavioral change (getting people out of their cars and onto a train).3. Educating residents, employers, and employees regarding the future possibilities SunRail may offer.

1. Reassure future riders that SunRail will be safe, comfortable and convenient.2. Engage future riders and stakeholders through community-based social marketing.3. Identify leaders in niche market segments that can provide community engagement and activity surrounding SunRail.

Park Avenue Area Association PublixRetirement Communities Rollins CollegeValencia Community Collge SunRailWinter Park Health Foundation Healthy Central FloridaWinter Park Village

38 Public Education

The future success of SunRail will be proportional to ridership volume. Success will require a modal shift for many from using a private car to experiencing mass transit. This section discusses the psychological, social and educational challenges that the SunRail system may incur in seeking to increase ridership. These challenges involve long held opinions and strong emotions held by the public regarding mass transit use. The question looms, “Why would one give up the comfort and control of their private automobile in favor of commuting via SunRail?” SunRail developers must have an understanding of the anxieties and motivations of potential riders. Mass transit promises speed to destination and relief from the responsibilities of traffic,at a cheaper cost than using one’s automobile. Getting to one’s destination is not simply a matter of station-to-stationtransfer. It also must involve peripheral transportation to popular destinations. In the past decade, Central Floridians have been exposed to discussions, debates and votes on various types of rail systems; therefore many may not understand the distinction between rail types. SunRail is a commuter rail with a fixed route and limited times of operation. Once residents understand this basic fact about SunRail, they will need to be educated on the uses and benefits of using rail transit. The following challenges should concern stakeholders.

Challenge #1: Overcoming Anxiety Four types of commuter anxieties will affect the success of SunRail. Crowding causes the highest level of passenger anxiety. Successful mass transit can involve high passenger volume, especially at key commuting hours. Although this may not be a problem for SunRail in the beginning, it could be a factor that requires future planning. Passengers need to know that they will have a comfortable and relaxed journey, free from unwanted experiences.Delays are responsible for the second most common anxiety. Reliability in serviceis a crucial factor. Current technology offers the electronic ability to post current data and messaging reassuring passengers of the reality

of arriving at their destination on time. People may be more willing to accept flaws in the system when informed appropriately and in real time.Inconvenience and undue complications in routes produce an anxious distrust of the general system. Trip planning must be relatively convenient and feasiblefor the average commuter and tourist. Steps should be taken to educate residents andemployees about reliable connections to and from the Winter Park station. Presently, Lynx is proposing additional routes to improve connectivity.200Fear about safety may cause varying degrees of anxiety among men and women and among different age groups. Particularly, families with small children will need accommodations. 201

39Public Education

Challenge #2: Understanding preconceived ideas about SunRail and influencing behavioral change.

The marketing engine must demonstrate an understanding of how people perceivepublic transportation. Furthermore, developers must identify steps to remove barriers that may cause people to return to familiar but less efficient transportation. The way people perceive and place value on a product or service is termed “Attribution”. Exploring this process will help support positive growth for the SunRail system.202Community-based social marketing (CBSM) has been effective in gaining support for transportation initiatives. Defining the critical elements involved in achieving behavioraland social change involves identifying and changing real barriers, such as poor motivation, and entrenched negative habitual behavior. Community focus groups, including business and property owners, can help define marketing strategies. Stakeholders such as retailers who are renters rather than property owners, often feel powerless regarding city hall decisions. When included in planning conversations they may feel more flexible toward change and offer ideas that address marketing challenges.

Challenge #3: EducatingResidents, Employers, andEmployees

Winter Park, like the rest of Central Florida, faces challenges in introducing future riderswho have never been exposed to daily life with a rail system. Businesses will need to be educated about tax benefits for promoting employee use of SunRail. There will need tobe broad-based education concerning the system, from purchasing tickets to understanding schedules to gaining confidence that SunRail is viable. Social marketing resources include printed and web-based guides and handbooks that can offer city governments, employers and concerned citizens the strategies to aid them in addressing challenges. For SunRail to succeed stakeholders will need to be engaged on all levels in continual implementation and improvement efforts. Newsletters, both mail and Internet based communication, involving social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others can play an important role.203

40 Public Education

Publ EducChallenge #4: Planning Parking Facilities

At the start of its operation, SunRail will have a fixed route and limited service. Service will be most frequent during designated peak hours and less frequent during off-peak hours. Unlike city bus service, most commuters will have to park their car to conveniently use the SunRail system. Since the Winter Park SunRail station will be both a destination and departure location, commercial and retail centers may add to the success of SunRail by designating employee parking to allow for increased customer parking. Studies of available parking spaces and facilities are important to establish future convenience.

Connectivity:Winter Park residents, like most residents of Florida, are accustomed to the present highway system with its “feeder roads,” offering connections among local, state, and interstate roads and highways. SunRail does not yet offer a trusted, seamless system. Employers in Winter Park should be encouraged to explore ways to make SunRail more accessible for their employees. Discounted fares for frequent riders, benefits of carpooling and employer van or bus service are among options to explore.

Nuisance:SunRail planning involves efforts to quiet trains as they run through Winter Park. Employing the use of “quite zones,” limiting warning whistle use, and appropriately synchronizing safety gates at crossings, are important efforts needed to dispel fears of bothersome noises. 206

Public Education41200 Barley, H

201 Cheng, Y. (2010). Exploring passenger anxiety associated with train travel. Transporta�on, 37(6), 875-896. doi:10.1007/s11116-010-9267-z

202 Scherer,M and Dziekan,K (2012 April 16). Bus or Rail: An Approach to Explain the Psychological Rail Factor. Journal of Public Transporta�on Ar�cle in Volume 15, Issue 1 (2012)

203 h�p://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-urban-menu-eng-2054.htm

Kassirer, J. & Lagarde, F. (2010). Changing transporta�on behaviours - A social

marke�ng planning guide. O�awa (Canada): Transport Canada.

204 We�stein, B. & Chapin, P. (2012, June). SunRail. Dr. R. Foglesong. Poli�cs of Place. Lecture conducted at Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.

205 Barley, H

206 Barley, H. & Bradley, K. (2012, June). SunRail. Dr. R. Foglesong. Poli�cs of Place. Lecture conducted at Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida.

Public Education42

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43

Safety

Challenges

Solutions


Retirement CommunitiesValencia Community CollegeWinter Park Chamber of Commerece

Park Ave. Area AssociationPublixWinter Park Chamber of Commerece

People will not engage in activities that make them feel unsafe, and the coming of SunRail to Winter Park has raised questions about personal safety both on the trains and in the area around the station. Transit riders and residents will need assurance that their safety concerns have been taken into account—in these ways:

1. Creating peace of mind for residents, visitors, and commuters in Downtown Winter Park.2. Overcoming difficulties that hinder the cohesion of the community.3. Increasing safety at railroad crossings in the Winter Park area.4. Improving sidewalks and roads to promote a saferatmosphere for pedestrians and cyclists.

1. Installing surveillance cameras, as has been done on Park Avenue, to monitor and record activity in the area.2. Engaging the community to promote safety via self regulation in the area around the station.3. Adding quad gate crossings at railroad crossings to prevent obstructions from entering the train’s path.4. Creating bike lanes and protected sidewalks in thearea surrounding the station to create safer commutes for ridersand visitors to downtown.

44 Safety

Crime PreventionSince SunRail will be transporting a large number of people to and from the Winter Park station, some residents have expressed concern about whether this will increase crime in the area. Several steps have been taken to mitigate these concerns, however. The surveillance cameras that have been installed on Park Avenue (as pictured below) will allow video records to be used to reprimand individuals involved in unlawful acts. This surveillance will also allow the Winter Park Police Department to keepwatch over Park Avenue withoutthe presence of patrol cars and uniformedofficers that might detract from the area’s congenial atmosphere.

Community InvolvementWinter Park merchants and residentshave a great deal of pride when it comesto Park Avenue and the area around theSunRail Station. They are very active inthe maintenance and improvement of theseareas. For this reason, it is expected that theresidents and merchants will continue to playan important role in improving downtown

Winter Park as more people frequent the area due to SunRail. This will ensure safety since more attention will be paid to the shoppers and visitors of the downtown Winter Park area. Criminals do not like places filled with very conscious-minded people, which makes it difficult for them to escape. Community engagement is the most important component of ensuring safety. A team effort is the mostefficient and effective means of ensuring security. Those frequenting the area will be more comfortable knowing that active shopkeepers, business owners, and residents are looking out for them.

Safety 45Railroad CrossingsRailroad crossings can be very dangerous, and in a town so laden with track, this can create a serious safety issue. Winter Park will be installing quad gate (as pictured below) atrailroad crossings to prevent obstructions from entering the train’s path at crossings, meaning that there will be two gates on eachside of the tracks, one in each traffic lanes This will prevent motorists from driving

published: 20 Apr 2007 author: Rrxingrick

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45Safety

around the gates before the train arrives, which motorists sometimes do when they are stuck at crossings for long freight trains. As SunRail will only be two to three cars long, trying to “beat the train” is unnecessary; the average SunRail train will take only about twenty seconds to pass a railroad crossing.

Pedestrians & CyclistsPedestrian and cyclist safety is a top priority not only in the areas around the SunRail station,but also throughout Central Florida. The areas around the station in downtown Winter Parkare already very pedestrian and cyclist friendly, but in the future, more expansive safety precautions will be needed. Since outbound commuters will be coming from all areas of Winter Park, designated bike lanes and protected walkways need to be created and improved. Something as simple as allowing cars to park in the lane nearest the sidewalk (as pictured in the end of this section) is a quick and easy safety precaution that makes cyclists and pedestrians feel more protected from passing traffic. Long term, forcing bicycle riders to use the same roads as automobiles is not the solution to this problem. Bike lanes and protected sidewalks are essential precautions for transit riders, and these pedestrian and cyclist improvements can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

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Local Stakeholders Key organizations in Winter Park stand to gain particular advantages from SunRail and are capable of offering unique support for SunRail’s success. Below we list these or-ganizations, state what their strategic interest in SunRail might be, and suggest a role they can play to aid SunRail’s success.

Connectivity Stakeholders

City of Winter Parko Interest: The City of Winter Park will be one of the municipalities

responsible for cost of SunRail in the 8th year of its operation and therefore has a direct financial stake in SunRail’s success. Winter Park could also benefit from the increased visitors SunRail might deliver to the city’s commercial districts improving sales tax revenues.

o Role: Build Bike/Ped friendly thoroughfares; Support SunRail connector with dedicated lane; Support shared parking with regulations

Lynxo Interest: Lynx ridership numbers may be improved due to the greater level

of connectivity that Lynx riders can gain from SunRail.o Role: Build SunRail connector with dedicated lane

Retirement Communitieso Interest: Winter Park is home to several retirement communities including

the Mayflower and Winter Park Towers. These communities are less willing and able to drive personal vehicles and could have their safety and mobility greatly enhanced by access to SunRail.

o Role: Provide bus connection to SunRail from retirement community. Rollins College

o Interest: Rollins College could benefit from SunRail as it can provide transit for the large number of faculty, staff, and students who cannot afford to live within walking distance of campus.

o Role: Provide bus connection to SunRail from retirement community.

48

SunRailo Interest: SunRail could garner increased farebox revenues from appropriate

connectivity for the “last mile” of SunRail riders’ commute.o Role: Support SunRail connector with dedicated lane by providing

appropriate bus stop facilities at the station. Winter Park Memorial Hospital

o Winter Park Memorial Hospital could benefit from SunRail as it can provide transit for faculty, staff, patients if connectivity from the Winter Park station is provided.

o Role: Provide bus connection to SunRail from Winter Park Village or provide bus stop facilities at Winter Park Village.

Winter Park Villageo Interest: The businesses at Winter Park Village could benefit from the

increased visitors SunRail might deliver to the city’s commercial districts improving sales.

o Role: Provide bus connection to SunRail from Winter Park Village or provide bus stop facilities at Winter Park Village.

www.orlandosen�nel.com

49

Commuter Assistance Programs Stakeholders



o Role: Provide informational support employers interested in tax incentives supporting employee transit ridership.

Florida Department of Transportationo Interest: The Florida Department of Transportation can better serve

its mission of facilitating transportation by ensuring that SunRail provides a useful and attractive option for many potential riders.


Rollins Collegeo Interest: Rollins College could benefit from SunRail as it can

provide transit for the large number of faculty, staff, and students who cannot afford to live within walking distance of campus.

o Role: Provide SunRail passes and pursue concomitant tax incentives.

SunRailo Interest: SunRail could garner increased farebox revenues from

appropriate connectivity for the “last mile” of SunRail riders’ commute.


50

Public Education Stakeholders

Park Avenue Area Associationo Interest: The membership of the Park Avenue Area Chamber of Commerce

could benefit from the increased visitors SunRail might deliver to the city’s commercial districts improving sales.

o Role: Communicate that SunRail is safe, comfortable, and convenient; Cultivate community leaders to show SunRail is a social norm

Publixo Interest: Publix Supermarket is one of the largest employers in Winter

Park and has two stores just over one mile from the SunRail stop and could benefit from having connectivity to SunRail for employees and shoppers.

o Role: Communicate that SunRail is safe, comfortable, and convenient. Retirement Communities

o Interest: Winter Park is home to several retirement communities including the Mayflower and Winter Park Towers. These communities are less willing and able to drive personal vehicles and could have their safety and mobility greatly enhanced by access to SunRail.

o Role: Communicate that SunRail is safe, comfortable, and convenient; Cultivate community leaders to show SunRail is a social norm.

Rollins Collegeo Interest: Rollins College could benefit from SunRail as it can provide

transit for the large number of faculty, staff, and students who cannot afford to live within walking distance of campus.

o Role: Communicate that SunRail is safe, comfortable, and convenient; Create social marketing campaigns cultivating SunRail ridership; Cultivate community leaders to show SunRail is a social norm.

Stakeholders

www.westorlandonews.com

51

SunRailo Interest: SunRail could garner increased farebox revenues from

appropriate connectivity for the “last mile” of SunRail riders’ commute.o Role: Communicate that SunRail is safe, comfortable, and convenient;

Create social marketing campaigns cultivating SunRail ridership; Cultivate community leaders to show SunRail is a social norm.

Valencia Community Collegeo Interest: Valencia Community College and Winter Park Tech could benefit

from SunRail as it can provide transit for faculty, staff, and students traveling to or between the Winter Park and Downtown Orlando campuses.


Winter Park Health Foundation and Healthy Central Floridao Interest: The missions of the Winter Park Health Foundation and Healthy

Central Florida can benefit from the physical and cultural change SunRail can instigate, contributing to a healthier population who spend more time out of their personal vehicles and more time walking to transit.


Winter Park Villageo Interest: The businesses at Winter Park Village could benefit from the

increased visitors SunRail might deliver to the city’s commercial districts improving sales.Role: Communicate that SunRail is safe, comfortable, and convenient

Stakeholders

www.westorlandonews.com

52 Stakeholders

Safety Stakeholders



o Role: Upgrade Bike/Ped crossings for safety; installed surveillance cameras on Park Avenue.

Florida Department of Transportationo Interest: The Florida Department of Transportation can better serve its

mission of facilitating transportation by ensuring that SunRail provides a useful and attractive option for many potential riders.

o Role: Upgrade Bike/Pedestrian crossings for safety. SunRail

o Interest: SunRail could garner increased farebox revenues from appropriate connectivity for the “last mile” of SunRail riders’ commute.

o Installed quad gate crossings at railroad crossings.

53

ConclusionOverview

This report is intended as an implementation guide for how stakeholder groups in Winter Park can help make SunRail a success. A number of topics were discussed throughout this report, including:• An overview of lessons learned from the start-up of other commuter rail and light rail

systems in the U.S., to help anticipate challenges that might arise with SunRail.• Building upon previous workshops and providing additional connectivity around the

Winter Park SunRail stop for all modes of travel – especially for pedestrians, bicyclists, and users of other types of public transit.

• The psychological adjustments for Central Florida residents, especially people not accustomed to riding rail and the tradeoffs from driving single- occupancy automobiles.

• The public educational challenges of setting real expectations and understanding that this is just the start of a network, as well as educational challenges related to noise.

• Most importantly providing security for riders so that they feel safe at the station. Safety nearby the stations is important as well, through enhanced pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements.

• Throughout the document, challenges have been discussed, solutions/strategies have been identified, and community stakeholder groups and their roles have been preliminarily outlined.

This report provides solutions and strategies that can be acted upon by local stakeholder groups that will help SunRail be successful in Winter Park. This report is only a starting point that builds upon workshops and other discussions that have taken place in different forums. As an implementation guide, this report sets a framework. Overall, more coordination and discussion needs to take place between the City of Winter Park, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, Park Avenue Area Association, the health industry community, SunRail and FDOT, Metroplan Orlando, the business community, Rollins College, and other local stakeholder groups to develop a more detailed implementation plan, one that can lead to an even greater Winter Park.

54 Conclusion

Next Steps, Where do we go from here?

Below are a number of next steps and ways for using this report.

• Use this report to build upon previous discussions that have occurred and conduct further discussions on developing the roles of local stakeholders. This report can be used as a guide.

• Better coordinate current initiatives and conduct continuous open dialogue or stakeholder coordination sessions. Stakeholders throughout Winter Park are working on initiatives related to SunRail, such as the City of Winter Park Sustainability Program and the Winter Park Health Foundation and Healthy Central Florida.

• Build upon the success of getting SunRail approved and plan for its successful implementation proactively, not reactively.

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“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning” - Churchill

winter park sunrail implementation guide

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sunrail system

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arrival of sunrail

commuter rail system

historic station

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orlando area

thekey stakeholders