BUS RAPID TRANSIT PILOT PROGRAM Schedule for Tonight’s Open House Questions and answers process * Submit your comments in writing on comment cards * Comments and questions will be grouped and answered by topic * All comments and questions will be addressed on CTA’s website—www.transitchicago.com An interpreter for the hearing impaired and translators for the Spanish and Chinese speaking communities are available this evening. Tonight’s Speakers * Ryan Mouw - Moderator o Chicago Transit Authority * Sheldon Fialkoff o DMJM Harris | AECOM Urban Congestion Initiatives * In 2007 US Department of Transportation released $1 billion as part of the Urban Partnership Agreements o Seattle o Minneapolis/St. Paul o Miami o San Francisco * In 2008 US Department of Transportation released $366 million as part of the Congestion Reduction Initiatives o Chicago ($153 million) o Los Angeles ($213 million) Federal Congestion Reduction Initiative * Chicago was selected to apply for a $153 million federal grant to reduce congestion * Chicago is proposing a Bus Rapid Transit Pilot Program or BRT * The next section of this presentation defines BRT and shows BRT examples in other cities * The subsequent section proposes some potential options for BRT in Chicago Goals for Proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Pilot Program * Introduce a new rapid and predictable transit service * Improve connections between key destinations and bus/rail routes * Reduce traffic congestion during rush hours * Attract new riders to the CTA Benefits to Customer of BRT * Decrease travel time * Improve predictability * Provide real-time travel information * Increase passenger comfort Cities with BRT US Cities with BRT * New York City, NY * Boston, MA * Los Angeles, CA * Cleveland, OH * Kansas City, MO International Cities with BRT * Paris, France * York, Canada * Ottawa, Canada * Curitiba, Brazil * Quito, Ecuador * Mexico City, Mexico * London, England * Bogota, Colombia * Beijing, China * Sydney, Australia Elements of Bus Travel Times * 54% of time buses are in motion * 21% of time buses are at traffic signals * 22% of time is spent boarding/exiting the bus BRT System Elements I. Vehicles * Uniquely distinguishable bus * Interior (seats & doors) configured for: o Efficient boarding & exiting o Easy internal circulation o Optimal mix of seated/standing capacity * Environmentally friendly o Improved air quality o Reduced noise levels I. Vehicles – Other City Examples I. Vehicles – Pre-Paid Fare Collection Portable Fare Readers – Rear Door Boarding II. Bus Lanes III. BRT can operate in broad variety of physical and operating environments, but segregated, dedicated bus lanes are preferred a. BRT may use barriers, pavement markings, materials, colors, graphics, signage, or landscaping to separate lanes b. Critical planning and design parameters for bus lanes include: i. Rapid, reliable service ii. Access by rapid transit vehicles iii. Ease of enforcement iv. Identity II. Bus Lanes – Other City Examples II. Bus Lanes: Two-Way Streets Bus Lane Video IV. Stations * Permanent, weather protected * Passenger information & amenities * Easy, safe pedestrian access * Safe, secure * Convey system identity Free Flow Boarding Video III. Stations – Other City Examples V. Technology * Technology improvements include: o Automatic Vehicle Location o Real-time Passenger Information o Transit Signal Priority Transit Signal Priority Video V. Service Plan * Service o BRT buses run all day (6:00AM-8:00PM) o Dedicated bus lanes during rush hours o Combined BRT/local frequencies of 3-6 minutes in peak periods * Simple route structure * 1/4 to 1/2 mile stop spacing * Integrated with but not replacing local bus services V. Service Plan - Local vs. BRT Services BRT Screening Process Existing Route Inventory * Reviewed Local Routes * Reviewed Express Routes Criteria for identifying network corridors * Average daily ridership o Identify opportunities to serve and expand existing ridership * Average running speed o Identify congestion bottlenecks and pinch points * Average trip length o Identify benefit to customers with long trip lengths * Potential customer minutes saved o Combine previous criteria to maximize total customer benefit Criteria to Identify Pilot Corridors * Orientation to Central Business District (direct or downtown rail feeder) * Connections with high ridership bus and rail routes * Geographic distribution * Varied land use and street conditions Proposed BRT Corridors * Jeffery Boulevard * Halsted Street * Chicago Avenue * 79th Street Proposed Elements of Chicago BRT * Unique BRT buses * Dedicated bus lanes during rush hours * Real-time bus arrival information at stations * Stop spacing between ¼ - ½ mile Proposed Elements of Chicago BRT * Rear-door boarding at selected locations * Combined BRT/local frequencies of 3-6 minutes in rush hours * Transit Signal Priority at selected locations * Rear-door boarding at selected locations * Combined BRT/local frequencies of 3-6 minutes in rush hours * Transit Signal Priority at selected locations Grant Process * Program Application * Formal Grant Application—We Are Here * Federal Review Process * Design/Build—Summer 2009 Questions and Comments * Ryan Mouw o Chicago Transit Authority * Sheldon Fialkoff o DMJM Harris | AECOM * Stephen Little o Chicago Transit Authority * Luann Hamilton o Chicago Department of Transportation * Michael Stubbe o CTA Transit Operations * Peter Fahrenwald o CTA Planning and Development * CTA representatives are available to answer additional questions * Written comments and questions accepted through October 9, 2008 * Mr. Ryan Mouw Chicago Transit Authority Government and Community Relations P.O. Box 7567 Chicago, IL 60680-7567 rmouw@transitchicago.com 312-681-2751