Chapter 1 Introduction Introduction The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for the San Diego area—MOBILITY 2030— envisions a regional transit system that would be the first choice for many trips. This vision, adopted by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) in March 2003, calls for a network of fast, flexible, reliable, safe, and convenient transit services to connect residential neighborhoods to major employment and activity centers. The implementing strategy, known as Transit First, focuses on four key elements: (1) service concepts (including long-distance, medium-distance, local, and neighborhood services); (2) transit priority measures; (3) customer experience; and (4) community design. Bus rapid transit (BRT) will be key to advancing Transit First and implementing MOBILITY 2030. In July 2002, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board (MTDB) selected the Transit First BRT Showcase Project for design, with the goal of implementing service as soon as 2006. Due to agency consolidation under SB1703, the planning for the Showcase Project is now the responsibility of SANDAG. However, project oversight is being shared by SANDAG and the City of San Diego. The Showcase Project corridor runs from San Diego State University (SDSU) to downtown San Diego via El Cajon Boulevard and Park Boulevard and would facilitate the medium-distance trip making throughout the corridor. The project is also intended to demonstrate the key elements of Transit First, including smart card fare collection, transit lanes, traffic signal priority, low-floor vehicles, and enhanced stations. Unique branding of vehicles and stations will identify this highquality service to the public. The major activity centers along the Showcase Project route include the Santa Fe Depot, Convention Center, Downtown, City College, Naval Hospital, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Mid-City communities (North Park, Normal Heights, City Heights), and SDSU. This corridor was selected for the Showcase Project because of its high ridership potential, existing transit-supportive land uses, and implementation feasibility within three to five years. Four other candidate projects were identified as “early action” projects, and work on these other corridors continues. The Showcase Project has been developed with the assistance of a Project Review Committee (PRC), which consists of community and business representatives. The PRC has helped to develop a set of project goals; reviewed the preliminary ridership projections; provided advice on transit location, design and placement; and assisted with public outreach efforts. Figure 1-1 shows the Showcase Project and study area. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1-1 April 2005 Plaza SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY 15 UPTOWN 54th 49th Euclid 43rd Fai rmount University 40th 35th 30th Tex as Park NORMAL HEIGHTS College 8 KENSINGTON-TALMADGE 805 GREATER NORTH PARK CITY HEIGHTS 163 Zoo Pl. Legend BALBOA PARK Proposed BRT Stops 15 Pa rk Naval Hospital 5 C St. CENTRE CITY Alternative/Additional BRT Stops 805 Showcase Route Focus Study Area (With Quarter-Mile Buffer) GREATER GOLDEN HILL Broadway Figure 1-1: Overview of Showcase Corridor Full Study Area (Quarter Mile Buffer) Station Area (Quarter Mile Buffer) 94 0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles Project Purpose and Goals The purpose of this Showcase Project is to plan, create, and implement a successful bus rapid transit system for the San Diego region from downtown San Diego to San Diego State University in a corridor along El Cajon Boulevard and Park Boulevard. As with all transit projects, the overall purpose is to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and serve the mobility needs of residents and visitors. The vision statement for the Showcase Project is as follows: Demonstrate how increased efficiency, speed, and service can attract new transit ridership, improve customer satisfaction, and benefit the broader community by providing trolley-like service through the use of bus technology. Various goals and objectives were presented to the Project Review Committee. At meetings in March, April, June, and October of 2003, the PRC evaluated and refined the project goals. These goals are presented in Figure 1-2 and described below. Prioritized Project Goals and Objectives Goal 1: Reduce Transit Travel Time • Objective 1a—Reduce Showcase transit vehicle travel time by a significant level (20 to 30 percent) over standard bus service in the corridor. • Objective 1b—Within funding constraints, reduce patron waiting time at stations by providing frequent bus service during peak periods. Goal 2: Attract New Ridership • Objective 2a—Significantly increase the number of new transit riders (20 to 40 percent of real growth as opposed to transferred riders from other fixed transit routes). • Objective 2b—Consider implementing a “Frequent Rider” reward program to encourage use. • Objective 2c—Consider ways to target and attract students and new employmentrelated ridership in corridor Goal 3: Enhance Customer Experience • Objective 3a—Provide a clear system identity that is unique and differs from the current local (short distance) bus service. • Objective 3b—Implement state-of-the-art amenities such as “Next Bus” and other technologies to ease transfers, increase comfort, assure safety, improve accessibility, and decrease time delays. • Objective 3c—Provide technologies and information to make it easier for the general public to understand how to best use and integrate the service into their transportation requirements. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1-3 April 2005 WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES? PROJECT VISION STATEMENT “Demonstrate how increased efficiency, speed and service can attract new transit ridership, improve customer satisfaction and benefit the broader community by providing train-like service through the use of bus technology.” WHAT YOU CAN DO! Place your 3 blue st ars next to the objectives below that represent your very highest priorities. Use your 5 gold st ars for other high priorities. PROJECT GOALS & SUPPORTING OBJECTIVES 36 (B x3)= 108+ 24(Gx1)= 24, Total=132 GOAL 1. Reduce Transit Travel Time 1 • Objective “1a”- Reduce showcase transit vehicle travel time by a significant level (20-30%) over standard bus service in the corridor. • Objective “1b”- Reduce patron waiting time at stations by providing frequent bus service during peak periods & by improving service reliability. 19 (Bx3)=57 + 22 (Gx1)=22 , Total= 79 GOAL 2. Attract New Ridership • Objective “2a”- Significantly increase the number of new transit riders (20%-40% of real growth as opposed to transferred riders from other transit services). 3 • Objective “2b”- Consider implementing a “Frequent Rider” reward program to encourage use. • Objective “2c”- Consider ways to target and attract students and new employment- related ridership in corridor. 18(Bx3)=54 + 27(Gx1)=27, Total=81 GOAL 3. Enhance Customer Experience • Objective “3a”- Provide a clear system identity that is unique and differs from the current blue car service. 2 • Objective “3b”- Implement state of the art amenities such as “Next Bus” and other technologies to ease transfers, increase comfort, assure safety, improve accessibility and decrease time delays. • Objective “3c”- Provide technologies & information to make it easier for the public to integrate the service into their transportation requirements. • Objective “3d”- To the extent possible, improve connections with other services (such as enhanced greenline) to make connections easier. 9(Bx3)=27 + 16(Gx1)=16, Total=43 GOAL 4. Improve the Pedestrian Environment Around Stations • Objective “4a”- Increase access to stations and buses and remove barriers to encourage walking and cycling to transit stations. 6 • Objective “4b”- Improve safety and the walking experience for all of the public in areas within 1/4 mile from transit stations. • Objective “4c”- Encourage business patronage by transit users at and around transit stations, as well as by all the general walking public. 11(Bx3)=33 + 15(Gx1)=15, Total=48 GOAL 5. Optimize Traffic Operations along Park and El Cajon Boulevard • Objective “5a”- Implement signal priority systems to improve the speed and efficiency of the showcase buses. 5 • Objective “5b”- Increase signal synchronization to improve traffic flow for all vehicles. • Objective “5c”- Review EVP (Emergency Vehicle Priority) needs in the corridor. 8(Bx3)=24 + 15(Gx1)=15, Total=39 GOAL 6. Implement Service by the Summer/Fall of 2006 • Objective “6a”- Launch a substantial part of the service and improvements within three years. 7 • Objective “6b”- Improvements needed to make a substantial difference in speed, ridership and service should be available at the project opening. • Objective “6c”- Phasing should be reserved for increased levels of services that may include additional stations or alternative route service combinations. 5(Bx3)=15 + 17(Gx1)=17, Total=32 GOAL 7. Reflect Community Desires • Objective “7a”- Provide a forum for community input through workshops, meetings and presentations. 8 • Objective “7b”- Gather input from key stakeholders and the broader community to determine overall program objectives, ideas and recommendations that reflect community desires and priorities as well as funding realities. • Objective “7c”- Use the PRC with their local experience and expertise to help make decisions and inform the project team of priorities. 6(Bx3)=18 + 12(Gx1)=12, Total=30 GOAL 8. Protect Parking Resources • Objective “8a”- Look for partnerships with adjacent development and redevelopment for sharing new parking resources. 9 • Objective “8b”- If any parking spaces are removed, replace parking within 500’ of the lost parking through restriping, curb cut elimination, bus stop consolidation and reconfigurations, or adjacent street angled parking options. • Objective “8c”- Prioritize the protection of parking spaces based on utilization, adjacent uses, other parking options & difficulty in replacing lost parking. 11(Bx3)=33 + 17(Gx1)=17, Total=50 GOAL 9. Enhance Public Spaces around Transit Stops • Objective “9a”- Provide well designed transit stops that are positive elements to the sidewalk environment and to the adjacent businesses. 4 • Objective “9b”- Transit stops should help support existing businesses as well as encourage future development. • Objective “9c”- Transit stop circulation should accommodate transit riders and other pedestrians and be fully accessible. • Objective “9d”- Provide opportunities to add public art to the station areas in the future. 4(Bx3)=12+ 18(Gx1)=18, Total=30 GOAL 10. Improve Operational and Maintenance Efficiencies • Objective “10a”- Show improvements over existing operational conditions in Passengers per Revenue Mile in the corridor. 10 • Objective “10b”- Develop a system of capital improvements that can be properly and regularly maintained (including buses, stops, traffic systems & roadway surfaces) and that fit well within the unique character of the surrounding community. • Objective “10c”- Utilize efficiency improvements to increase frequency of service in the corridor. • Objective “10d”- Identify opportunities to utilize community funded operations to meet goals such as those called for in #4 for maintenance & cleaning. SDSU to DOWNTOWN BUS RAPID TRANSIT SHOWCASE PROJECT Figure 1-2: Workshop Goals and Objectives Summary • Objective 3d—To the extent possible improve connections with other services (such as local buses and enhanced shuttles) to make connections easier. Goal 4: Improve the Pedestrian Environment within the Walking Zone Around Stations • Objective 4a—Increase access to stations and buses and remove barriers to encourage walking and cycling to transit stations. • Objective 4b—Improve safety and the walking experience for areas up to one-quarter mile from transit stations. • Objective 4c—Encourage business patronage by transit users at and around transit stations, as well as by the general walking public. Goal 5: Optimize Traffic Operations along Park Boulevard and El Cajon Boulevard • Objective 5a—Implement signal priority systems to improve the speed and efficiency of the Showcase vehicles. • Objective 5b—Increase signal synchronization to improve traffic flow for all vehicles. • Objective 5c—Review emergency vehicle priority (EVP) needs in the corridor. Goal 6: Implement Showcase Service by the Summer of 2006 • Objective 6a—Launch a substantial part of the service and improvements within three years. • Objective 6b—Improvements needed to make a substantial difference in speed, ridership, and service should be available at the project opening. • Objective 6c—Phasing should be reserved for increased options for additional stations and alternative route service combinations. Goal 7: Reflect Community Desires • Objective 7a—Provide a forum for community input through workshops, meetings, and presentations. • Objective 7b—Gather input from key stakeholders and the broader community to determine overall program objectives that reflect community desires and priorities. • Objective 7c—Use the PRC with its local experience and expertise to help make decisions and inform the project team of priorities. Goal 8: Protect Parking Resources in the Corridor • Objective 8a—Look for partnerships with adjacent development and redevelopment for sharing new parking resources. • Objective 8b—If any parking spaces are removed, replace parking within 500 feet of where the parking may be lost through restriping, curb cut elimination, bus stop consolidation and reconfigurations, or adjacent street angled parking options. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1-5 April 2005 • Objective 8c—Prioritize the protection of parking spaces based on utilization, adjacent uses, proximity of alternative parking options, and difficulty in replacing lost parking. Goal 9: Make Transit Stations Positive Public Spaces • Objective 9a—Transit stations should limit negative effects on adjacent uses through well-designed station elements and proper site planning. • Objective 9b—Transit stations should help support existing businesses as well as encourage future development. • Objective 9c—Transit station circulation should accommodate transit riders and other pass-by pedestrians and be fully accessible. • Objective 9d—Provide opportunities to add public art to the station areas in the future. Goal 10: Improve Operational and Maintenance Efficiencies • Objective 10a—Show improvements over existing operational conditions in passengersper-revenue-mile in the corridor. • Objective 10b—Develop a system of capital improvements that can be properly and regularly maintained (including buses, stops, traffic systems, and roadway surfaces) and that fit well within the unique character of the surrounding community. • Objective 10c—Identify opportunities to utilize community-funded operations to meet goals such as enhanced maintenance and cleaning. Among those who attended public meetings on the project, the top three goals were to (1) reduce transit travel time, (2) enhance the customer experience, and (3) attract new ridership. This priority listing closely reflects that of the PRC. The Open House participants placed a higher priority on enhancing public spaces around transit stops than did the PRC. There was a general sentiment among participants that the Showcase Project is a worthy project that should be implemented quickly and that should remain intact and complete. Report Organization The Transit First Showcase Project Final Report is presented in 10 chapters, with Appendix material. Chapter 2 presents background information on the project, including alignments, locations of stations, and review of previous studies. Chapter 3 outlines the El Cajon Boulevard alignment, and Chapter 4 presents the Park Boulevard alignment. Chapter 4 presents the traffic and parking impacts of the project. Chapter 6 is the Balboa Park analysis. The transit signal priority plan is presented in Chapter 7, and Chapter 8 presents urban design improvements. Chapter 9 outlines the public involvement process. The conclusions of the project study are presented in Chapter 10. The Appendix material includes BRT alignment roadway cross sections, station shelter plans, urban design and pedestrian access elements, ridership projections, and capital cost estimates. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1-6 April 2005