VRE SYSTEM PLANWEBINAR

October 9, 2013Christine Hoeffner, VREFoster Nichols, Parsons Brinckerhoff

Webinar Overview

Introduction of presenters Format of webinar Participant questions

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SYSTEM PLAN OVERVIEW

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What is a System Plan?

Re-set the vision for VRE’s future Evaluate alternative future scenarios

Ridership growth Capacity needs Capital project requirements Funding and partnership strategies

Develop decision-making framework

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What is a System Plan?

The VRE System Plan will not Be prescriptive Develop fully-designed capital projects Guarantee funding availability Compel other entities to act Be a regional transportation plan

VRE’S ROLE INREGIONAL TRANSPORTATION

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FY19

93

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FY20

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FY20

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FY20

130

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

20,000

Ave

rag

e D

aily

Rid

ers

Sustained Ridership GrowthTotal Ridership has tripled since inception and doubled in last decade

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System Total

Fredericksburg

Manassas6,260

5,250

11,510

7,370

6,590

13,950

9,780

9,100

18,880

15-year trend: +8% per year

VRE Ridership Market Share

Fredericksburg Line to Core Fredericksburg – Brooke >50% Quantico – Woodbridge 10%-50% Lorton <10%

Manassas Line to Core Broad Run – Manassas Park 10%-50% Burke Centre – Backlick Rd. <10%

Future growth in VRE ridership will result from: Population growth in the Outer Zone Increased service in the Inner Zone

MiddleZone

Markets

Inner Zone

Markets

CoreMarkets

OuterZone

Markets

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PROPOSED SYSTEM PLAN INITIATIVES

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Group CImplement

RegionalRail Service

Concepts

Group BExpand Service

in Core VRE Territory

Group AMaximize

Service Within Existing

Operating Capacity &

Agreements

Potential VRE Service Initiatives

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Definitions

“Group” A set of “initiatives” that share similar characteristics and level of

complexity The differences among groups are not entirely hard and fast The System Plan is likely to combine ideas from all three groups

“Initiative” A VRE service concept Composed of a set of capital projects that enable the service May require changes to railroad operating agreements or other

agreements “Project”

The building block of initiatives, such as additional track, station parking or train storage capacity

8 car trains (ultimately 10 cars) Increase size of fleet Increase station and yard capacity

Group A: Longer Trains

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Mid-Week PM Peak Passenger Loads and Seating Capacity by Train, 2013

Fredericksburg Line

Manassas Line

Passengers at Peak

Capacity with Train Lengthened to 10 cars

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Group A: Additional Peak Trains

2 Available

2 Av

aila

ble

2

16 V

RE

Daily train slots per MOU:

VRE Manassas Trains

VRE Fredericksburg Trains

Virginia Intercity Trains

Available Unused Slots

Limited opportunities to grow Cap on daily trains Constrained train storage

1-2 additional round trips on each line

Relieve overcrowding on existing trains

214 VRE

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Group A Initiatives

Potential core system expansion projects Additional station parking Station access improvements Longer station platforms Additional rolling stock Increased train storage capacity

Group B: Increase Peak Period VRE Service

More weekday peak trains(AM inbound, PM outbound)

Service options 20 minute headways Outer zone express service Expand peak service

windows

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Haymarket

GainesvilleSudley Manor

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Group B: Gainesville-Haymarket Extension

Within existing VRE service area

Provides I-66 congestion relief

Potential multi-modal hubs and reverse commute opportunities

Group B: Reverse Commute Service

New travel market for VRE Smaller market but locally

significant More efficient use of trains

and DC mid-day storage Requires additional system

capacity Operating slots Additional track Second platforms at stations

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Group B: Off-Peak Service

Mid-day, Evening, and/or Weekends

Provides flexible travel for commuters and others

Taps additional markets Requirements similar to

Reverse-Commute service

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Group B: All-Day Bi-Directional Service

Maximizes VRE ridership potential

Supports efficient operations

Provides regional transportation benefits

“Whole is greater than the sum of the parts”

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M

M

M

M

M

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Group B Initiatives

Additional core system investments beyond Group A Second platforms at VRE stations Railroad infrastructure to support bi-directional

passenger operations Long Bridge/Alexandria to DC rail corridor Additional triple-tracking on Fredericksburg Line Manassas-Haymarket rail line capacity

Group C: Regional Rail Concepts

VRE run through to MARC Camden and Brunswick Lines Service to Silver

Spring, Rockville, College Park, Savage (Ft. Meade) and Baltimore

Potential mid-day storage opportunities

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Group C: Regional Rail Concepts

MARC run through to Alexandria Significant travel

market MARC trains

supplement or replace VRE service

Requires station and yard improvements in Virginia

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Group C: Regional Rail Concepts

Combined VRE & MARC run through service

Reverse-commute service as Initial Step

Ultimate Potential Fully-integrated

regional rail network Frequent service

between Union Station and Alexandria

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Package C Initiatives

Basic capital needs similar to Group B Rolling Stock and Station Platforms

Initial step can use existing VRE and MARC fleets Ultimate potential realized with a uniform fleet Station platform considerations for ADA compliance

Washington Union Terminal Run through service reduces train storage needs Investment to increase capacity for through service (TBD)

Expanded operating agreements

NEXT STEPS

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Next Steps

Analysis of Improvement Initiatives Ridership market impact Capital cost and incremental operating costs Benefits and implementation considerations

Adoption by VRE Operations Board – December 2013 Priority projects included in VRE annual budget and CIP Ongoing stakeholder and interagency outreach

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QUESTIONS

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Thank You!

Additional information about the System Plan http://www.vre.org/about/strategic/strategic_plan.htm

Submit questions about the System PlanVRESystemPlan@vre.org

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