transportation studies in the 21st century: incorporating all modes
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Title: Transportation Studies in the 21st Century: Incorporating all Modes Track: Sustain Format: 90 minute panel Abstract: In the 21st century, the basic purpose of transportation studies needs to change from making it easier to drive to giving people options other than driving. This session will present case studies of alternatives to the auto-dominated Level of Service traffic impact studies in order to better address bicycling, transit and walking. Presenters: Presenter: Michelle DeRobertis Transportation Choices for Sustainable Communities Co-Presenter: Peter Albert San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Co-Presenter: Patrick Lynch Transpo Group Co-Presenter: David Thompson City of Boulder, ColoradoTRANSCRIPT
Transportation Studies in the 21st Century- Incorporating All Modes Michelle DeRobertis PE Transportation Choices for Sustainable Communities
Oakland CA
1950’s till now, goal of Traffic Impact Studies (TIS) was: Accommodate Auto Traffic
Absurd Results of Tipping Scales in Favor of Autos: 1. Inequitable Development Conditions
▫ First in pays least
▫ Last in pays most (or changes project)
2. SPRAWL
3. Huge wide swaths of asphalt unused for 22 hours a day
22 hours of the day, roadway capacity is unused
4. Double Standard-
21st Century Setting- Political & Social Landscape is Changing
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
16 17
18 19
1983
2010
17 18
Fewer Teen Drivers 1983-2010
16 19
21st Century Setting-:
CAR FREE Households Are Increasing
Even State Laws Are Changing ▫ Many States now have GHG reductions targets
▫ California has a state law that prohibits vehicle congestion from being considered significant impact in Environmental Documents
Our Speakers
▫ Peter Albert, City of San Francisco ▫ Patrick Lynch Transpo Group,
Bellingham, Washington ▫ Doug Thompson, City of Boulder CO ▫ Michelle DeRobertis, ITE Transit Council
Michelle DeRobertis P.E.
Purpose of ITE Committee on Transit and Traffic Impact Studies
Document whether and how: ▫ Transit Quality of Service is addressed.
▫ Traffic impacts on transit service and operations is addressed.
▫ Transit providers are involved in the TIS process.
State of the Practice Study Methodology
▫ Survey practitioners on the state of the practice on Transit and Traffic Impact Studies.
▫ Review of known traffic impact studies and TIS guidelines to see how well they address transit.
▫ Write a “State of the Practice” report to be published by ITE.
Problem – • Undue attention is given to the LOS of the
surrounding freeways and arterials
• Very little attention to the Transit Service ▫ Report may mention the number and frequency of
busses, but does not rate whether the existing transit service is “good” or “adequate”
• Conclusion often is that Roadways are operating at LOS F and “need improving” whereas the Transit service just “is”.
Result of Lopsided Analysis
MORE CAPACITY FOR AUTO NO CHANGES TO TRANSIT
Current Transit QOS Measurements*
• Service Availability ▫ Spatial- where the routes are ▫ Temporal – hours of service, headways ▫ Capacity- function of vehicle size and headways (2)
• Comfort and Convenience ▫ Passenger load ▫ Average Speed -Travel Time (1) ▫ Reliability ▫ Safety and security ▫ Stations and stops
Possible Metrics for use in TIS
1. Travel time- ▫ Compare transit travel time to the site to auto-
travel time
Mitigation measures to improve travel time
• Transit signal preemption • Bus only lanes
Possible Metrics for use in TIS
2. Capacity • compare capacity of traffic lanes serving a site to
the capacity of transit service
Mitigation measures to improve capacity • Decrease headways • more./larger train cars
SAN FRANCISCO MUNI- Frequency Standards Weekday PEAK BASE EVENING OWL RADIAL 10 15 20 30 EXPRESS 10 - - - CROSS-TOWN
15 15 20 30
FEEDER 20 30 30 --
GOAL: ITE TRANSIT & TIS COMMITTEE
STATE OF THE PRACTICE
RECOMMENDED PRACTICE
BETTER TRANSIT SERVICE
1
2
3
21st Century Way of Thinking:
▫ System is not “failing” when there is auto congestion; it is an indicator of a thriving economy. ▫ Congestion indicates that more/better transit
is needed as well as bikeways/walkways. ▫ Level of Service Scale of A-F is wrong: Implies LOS A is optimal where as in fact it is means
there is excess capacity. In fact V/C ratio of 1.0 LOS F could be considered
ideal in the demand and capacity are balanced