seattle center city streetcar workshop

What Makes Streetcars Work? Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates

Seattle Center City Streetcar Workshop

July 20, 2007


What Makes Streetcars Work?

Modern Streetcar Applications


Project Goals• Understand key issues• Identify potential streetcar network and implementation priorities

• Understand that streetcars are only one mode in a major multi-modal system

• Realize that once a route is constructed it can not be altered


Transit Plan - Goal … Transit every 15 minutes … 18 hours a day … 7 days a week …


Existing Transit 2006


Next Phase


Seattle Connections 2030


2006 Next 2030


South Lake Union Streetcar

• Under construction

• Begins operation in fall 2007

• Local Improvement District funding

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/images/SLU%20Streetcar%20Route%204_11_06.jpg


Actions to Build on• Center City Circulation Report -2003• Seattle Streetcar Network and Feasibility Analysis -2004

• Westlake Transportation Hub Study -2004

• Seattle Transit Plan -2005


Actions to Build On• Center City Action Strategy• Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement

• Sound Transit First Hill Transit Connections

• Streetcar Alliance


Why Consider More Streetcars in Seattle?

• Attracts up to 40% more riders than bus, all conditions held equal.

• New rail lines replacing buses doubled previous bus ridership.

• Attracts “choice” markets.


What Explains the Difference?Riders Perspective:• Predictable routes and stops

• More stability• Greater ride comfort• Electric – low noise and no fumes

• Nostalgia


What’s Different about Streetcars?

• Local circulation system• Covers shorter distances• Can operate in mixed traffic

• More frequent stops• Rapid and less costly construction

• Catalyzes pedestrian-friendly development


Factors Influencing Ridership• Intensity of land use• Mix of land use• Travel time• Frequency• Fares• Connectivity to transit network• Legibility and information• Comfort


Why Not Just Add Nice Buses?

Streetcars:• Organize development• Often generate private financing

• Attract tourists and occasional riders

• Offer “legibility”• Operate better in pedestrian environments.


Streetcars do have their drawbacks

• Less flexible• Less maneuverable• Higher maintenance• Once in place it has to succeed

• Higher capital investment

• Overhead wires


Main differences between streetcar and light rail

Characteristics Streetcar Light RailRight-of-Way Can operate in mixed

trafficMostly exclusive ROW

Stop Spacing Short, every few blocks Wide, often 1/2 mile to 1 mile or more

Vehicles Often shorter (~60 ft); lower capacity (~120 passengers/vehicle)

Longer vehicles (~90 ft); higher capacity (~180 passenger/vehicle)

Route Distance Usually short, less than 5 miles

Usually long, more than 10 miles

Functions / Markets

Supplement or replace local circulation

Regional, long-haul commuter service

Overhead Wire Usually single wire Catenary


But it’s a fine line…Streetcar line in Pittsburgh (1976)


But it’s a fine line…Same line using modern LRT vehicles (1999)

Required some track and power upgrades


Streetcar Vehicle Technologies

• Modern Vehicles– Portland, Tacoma, Toronto

• Restored Vintage Cars– Often PCC cars (San Francisco,

Philadelphia)– Nearly exhausted supply– Non-ADA accessible– Cost to acquire, transport and restore

• New “Replica” Cars– Built from blueprints of old cars

(Charlotte, Memphis)– Can be made ADA accessible


Advantages of Modern Streetcar Technology

• Lower maintenance• Low floor and ADA accessible

• Higher total capacity• Improved comfort and quieter

• Easier to acquire fleet


North American Streetcar Examples

Existing Systems (modern technology) Portland• One streetcar

line, serves as local circulation in downtown

• Promotes economic development

• Integrated with buses and LRT



Existing Systems (modern technology) Tacoma• One streetcar

line • Provides local

circulation in downtown

• Designed to enhance economic development.


Toronto• 11 lines, 10

pass through downtown (both old and new technology)

• Integrated with buses and subway


Existing Systems (modern technology)



Existing Systems (heritage)Many examples• San Francisco• Philadelphia• Memphis• New Orleans• Little Rock• Tampa• Tucson• Dallas• Kenosha• Seattle• Charlotte• Others…

Tampa

Memphis

San Francisco “F” Line


Streetcar Systems Planned or Under Development

Cities considering streetcars:

• Madison• Spokane• Detroit• Sacramento• Vancouver, BC• Atlanta• Boston• Others…

Vancouver, BC


Streetcars as an Economic Engine

• Portland - more than $3B in economic development

• Public private investment

• Capture funding from new development/investments


Capturing the Economic Engine

Portland Streetcar After

• Property valuesincreased 40% on route

• Condos on route sell for$275-$350/sf

• 43% of employees use transit


Keys to a Successful Streetcar Corridor

• High frequency without LRT capacity demands

• Pedestrian- and transit-friendly• Short trips, local access needs and shorter stop spacing

• Corridor to serve a variety of markets • Lack of extreme congestion• Integration with broader transit network• Minimal utility conflicts• Geography


How to Integrate Streetcars with Existing Transit Services

• Let each system do what it does best!

• Ensure visible and legible connections

• Frequent service rather than timed connections

• Integrated fare media• High quality rider information and way-finding


How Much do Streetcar Lines Cost?

• Capital Costs– Estimates using current unit costs– Utility and other variable costs

• Operating Costs– Based on a realistic operating plan– Closely coordinated with King County

Metro– Validated against peer systems


Streetcar Costs• Operating Costs

– Portland experience: $3.7 million annual, $140/ revenue hour

• Capital Costs– Cost/mile: Portland ($23.7 to 26.3 million/mile)– Modern vehicles: $2.5 – $4.2 million / vehicle

(average $2.9 million)• What drives up the cost?

– Geography, turning movements, etc.– Utility relocation


Potential Funding Sources• Federal:

– New Starts/Small Starts• Focuses on streetcar, trolley and bus rapid

transit• Projects less than $75 million federal share• Total costs cannot exceed $250 million• Goal is expedited review process• Expect significant competition for funds

• State/Regional funding• City general funds• King County Metro • Tax increment financing• Parking revenues• Local improvement district• Endowment funds


Candidate CorridorsCenter City “Seattle Connections” routes are initial candidates for streetcar service. Today:• Criteria Evaluation• Mapping Exercise

seattle center city streetcar workshop

Documents