El Camino Real Bus Rapid Transit Conceptual Engineering. Los Altos Council Workshop January 24, 2012

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1 El Camino Real Bus Rapid Transit Conceptual Engineering Los Altos Council Workshop January 24, 2012

2 Agenda Introduction Growth in the El Camino Real Corridor Benefits of BRT El Camino Real BRT Decision Process Staff Recommendation Walk the Alignment Looking Ahead

3 Why is VTA proposing BRT? VTA wants to improve the quality of service and level of ridership and reduce operating costs Direction from VTA s Board of Directors BRT Strategic Plan (2009) Policy direction from cities Grand Boulevard Initiative City General Plans and Specific Plans Cost-effective, high-capacity transit solution in growing corridors

Bay Area BRT Livermore (LAVTA) opened January 2011 Santa Clara Alum Rock in San Jose (VTA): Final Design East Bay in Oakland/San Leandro (AC Transit): PE Van Ness Avenue in

4 Bay Area BRT Livermore (LAVTA) opened January 2011 Santa Clara Alum Rock in San Jose (VTA): Final Design East Bay in Oakland/San Leandro (AC Transit): PE Van Ness Avenue in SF (SFCTA): Environmental Geary Blvd in SF (SFCTA): Environmental El Camino Real in Santa Clara County (VTA): Conceptual Stevens Creek Boulevard: Santa Clara County (VTA): RFP

5 Growth Projections Source: ABAG Projections 2009

6 Growth in the El Camino Real Corridor Corridor Employment grows 48-71% Corridor Population grows 46-65% within 1/4 mile of El Camino Real Employment Population City Growth % Growth Growth % Growth Palo Alto 27,172 30,950 3,778 14% 24,577 37,604 13,027 53% Los Altos 2,195 2, % 2,227 2, % Mountain View 7,476 11,585 4,109 55% 20,439 25,538 5,099 25% Sunnyvale 8,009 15,470 7,461 93% 29,117 37,761 8,644 30% Santa Clara 12,162 25,653 13, % 23,697 44,013 20,316 86% San Jose 12,509 32,544 20, % 13,024 39,277 26, % Total 69, ,581 49,058 71% 113, ,666 73,585 65% within 1/2 mile of El Camino Real Employment Population City Growth % Growth Growth % Growth Palo Alto 58,124 64,328 6,204 11% 43,500 66,290 22,790 52% Los Altos 3,218 3, % 5,550 6, % Mountain View 15,739 23,748 8,009 51% 39,750 48,377 8,627 22% Sunnyvale 14,881 28,629 13,748 92% 69,269 84,479 15,210 22% Santa Clara 24,293 41,627 17,334 71% 59,647 82,429 22,782 38% San Jose 23,180 44,073 20,893 90% 25,183 67,985 42, % Total 139, ,944 66,509 48% 242, , ,670 46% Source: VTA Traffic Model based on ABAG Projections 2009

7 Growth in Traffic Without an El Camino transit improvement Vehicle Miles Traveled increase by 35% Vehicle Hours Traveled increase by 100% PM peak hour traffic volumes increase 12% on El Camino Real 35% on Central Expressway 63% on Foothill Expressway

8 Transit Benefits of BRT Fast service Branded service Alignment flexibility Rail-like amenities (wi-fi, pre-paid fare, real-time information) Improves efficiency - cost per rider ($2.58) Produces mode shift from auto to transit Increased ridership Lowers operating cost Opens new transit markets

9 City Benefits of BRT $240 Million invested in El Camino Real corridor Reduced greenhouse gases Reduced congestion Reduced vehicle miles travelled Bike lanes Improved pedestrian facilities: porkchop removal, increased crossings, shorter crossings Enhanced landscaping Opportunity for transformation of El Camino Real

10 El Camino Real BRT Where We Are in the Process Highest Ridership in VTA System 20% Strategic Plan Adopted in 2009 Grand Boulevard Initiative Conceptual Engineering Environmental Process Design Construction

11 The Decision Process Preliminary Investment Strategy Review by El Camino PAB Preliminary concurrence by cities Approval by VTA Board Environmental Review VTA Lead Agency for CEQA Cities comment on ED Caltrans Coordination FTA Small Starts

12 The Choice Before Us El Camino Real public right of way is 120 feet wide from Palo Alto through Santa Clara (The Alameda is 115 feet) Many competing interests for street right of way Autos Transit On street parking Bikes Pedestrians Landscaped median Which interests should get priority? Can all interests be accommodated?

13 The Choice Before Us Mixed Flow Lower capital expenditure Constrained by surrounding traffic Spot improvements at stations Longer travel times Higher operating costs Lower ridership

14 The Choice Before Us Dedicated BRT Lanes Provide separate lanes leaves 4 general purpose lanes Limits conflicts with other traffic Improved safety Less time at stations = faster service Higher level of branded service Complete streets treatment Higher ridership

15 4-Lane El Camino Real What does 4 lanes on El Camino Real look like? Redwood City Burlingame Menlo Park Photo: Google Street View Photo: Google Street View Photo: Google Street View

16 Preliminary Investment Strategy Dedicated BRT Lanes from Showers to Lafayette Based on areas of future congestion and analysis of ridership Mixed flow operations elsewhere

17 What Happens to Traffic With Preliminary Investment Strategy Greatly improve BRT travel time in PM peak hour EB from 107 min to 71 min (-34%) WB from 74 min to 53 min (-28%) Little impact to auto travel time EB from 58 min to 57 min WB from 43 min to 45 min Mode shift some people do switch from cars to transit Level of Service stays about the same 5 intersections at LOS F, but most with less delay Some traffic diverts to multiple other routes

18 What Happens to Traffic

19 Parking It s a policy decision Parking OR Bike Lanes Assumes preservation of a 16-foot median City makes the choice

20 Preliminary Investment Strategy Walk the alignment

21 Dinah s Court to Monroe CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL

22 Los Altos Avenue COURTYARD BY MARRIOT

23 Del Medio

24 San Antonio to Showers

25 Showers to Ortega

26 San Antonio to Showers

27 Showers to Ortega

28 Showers Station in Mixed Flow

29 Showers Station in Mixed Flow

30 Distel to Rengstorff

31 Distel to Rengstorff option 1

32 Distel to Rengstorff option 2

33 Distel to Rengstorff option 3

34 The Decision Process Preliminary Investment Strategy Review by PAB Preliminary concurrence by cities Approval by VTA Board Environmental Review VTA Lead Agency for CEQA Cities comment on ED Caltrans Coordination FTA Small Starts

35 Looking Ahead Council Endorsement Input to future Los Altos General Plan updates Thank you!

36 END

37 Showers Dr Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project LOS D 36.3 sec average delay LOS E 78.5 sec LOS F sec

38 Dinah s Court Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project LOS A 5.7 sec average delay LOS B 19.3 sec LOS B 18.7 sec

39 Los Altos Ave Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project LOS A 9.4 sec average delay LOS B 15.1 sec LOS B 16.5 sec

40 Del Medio Ave Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project LOS B 13.9 sec average delay LOS D 36.6 sec LOS C 27.0 sec

41 San Antonio Rd Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project LOS D 52.6 sec average delay LOS F 98.1 sec LOS F 94.2 sec

42 Jordan Ave Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project LOS A 9.5 sec average delay LOS B 17.9 sec LOS B 18.2 sec

43 Ortega Ave Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project LOS A 6.1 sec average delay LOS A 9.8 sec LOS B 18.1 sec

44 Distel Dr Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project (option 2,3) LOS A 6.9 sec average delay LOS A 8.5 sec LOS A 9.1 sec

45 Rengstorff Ave Existing 2035 No Project 2035 Project LOS C 23.1 sec average delay LOS D 39.9 sec LOS C 32.4 sec

46 Parking

47 Parking Existing Parking Supply City Mountain View MV/ Los Altos On El Camino Real On Crossstreets Low occupancy east of Rengstorff Off-Street , ,531 Bike Lanes OR Parking on El Camino Real not enough room for both OR Parking

48 Mountain View Draft General Plan Relevant BRT Policies, Statements Mobility Chapter MOB 3.3: Pedestrian and bicycle crossings. Enhance pedestrian and bicycle crossings at key locations MOB 5.4 Connecting key areas. Identify and implement new or enhanced transit services to connect Downtown, El Camino Real, San Antonio, North Bayshore, East Whisman and NASA Ames Research Center MOB 5.5 Access to transit services. Support right-of-way design and amenities consistent with local transit goals to facilitate access to transit services and improve transit as a viable alternative to driving. MOB 9.2 Reduced vehicle miles traveled. Support development and transportation improvements that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing per capita vehicle miles traveled.

49 Intersection Level of Service

50 Intersection Level of Service Increased left turns

51 Intersection Level of Service Increased WB volume

52 Intersection Level of Service

53 Caltrans Coordination

54 FTA Small Starts Program Alternatives Analysis Study initiation including problem statement and evaluation criteria Development and refinement of alternatives and technical methodologies, including conceptual engineering Analysis and evaluation incl. ridership and cost effectiveness Locally preferred alternative (LPA) $75 million Selection of LPA and AA Report Adopted 2030 RTP including LPA Financial Management Plan Program Management Plan (PMP) Request to Enter PE Preliminary Engineering Final Design Project Construction Grant Agreement Small Starts Report Submittals & Rating EIS incl. Scoping Process Record of Decision (ROD)

55 El Camino BRT Outreach Activities El Camino Real BRT Public Meetings (1 of 3) City/Organization Meeting Date Sunnyvale Sunnyvale City Council March 29, 2011 Sunnyvale Sunnyvale Cool March 30, 2011 Sunnyvale Sunnyvale West Neighborhood Association April 18, 2011 Sunnyvale Sunnyvale Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee May 26, 2011 Palo Alto Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee June 7, 2011 Los Altos Los Altos City Council June 14, 2011 Palo Alto Palo Alto City Council June 20, 2011 Mountain View Mountain View City Council June 21, 2011 GBI Grand Boulevard Task Force June 22, 2011 Mountain View Mountain View Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee July 27, 2011 Mountain View Mountain View Commission for Sustainable Planning July 29, 2011 VTA VTA Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee August 10, 2011

56 El Camino BRT Outreach Activities El Camino Real BRT Public Meetings (2 of 3) City/Organization Meeting Date Transform El Camino Community Leaders August 15, 2011 El Camino For All Discussion September 21, 2011 San Jose Stroll the Alameda September 25, 2011 Mountain View Open House Sept. 22, 2011 Sunnyvale Open House Sept. 27, 2011 Santa Clara Open House October 18, 2011 Palo Alto Open House October 20, 2011 All Cities Bus Tour October 22, 2011 ACEC American Council of Engineering Companies Santa Clara County Chapter November 7, 2011 San Jose District 6 Leadership Neighborhood Meeting November 29, 2011 Sunnyvale Business Workshop December 5, 2011

57 El Camino BRT Outreach Activities El Camino Real BRT Public Meetings (3 of 3) City/Organization Meeting Date Mountain View Business Workshop December 13, 2011 Santa Clara Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce January 10, 2011 Mountain View City Council Study Session January 17, 2011 Mountain View Planning Commission (EPC) January 18, 2011 Los Altos *City Council Study Session January 24, 2011 VTA *Roundtable Session (Mountain View) January 25, 2011 *Future Meetings

58 BRT Ridership Projections Daily Boardings 2010 Base TSM (2015) TSM (2035) 4+2 (2035)* 4+2/6+2 (2035)** Rapid 522/BRT 522 3,035 7,315 12,085 22,717 23,189 Line 22 10,946 9,916 8,750 15,681 15, ,981 17,231 20,835 38,398 39,179 *4 general lanes, 2 dedicated lanes from Lafayette to Showers **4 general lanes, 2 dedicated lanes from Lafayette to Lawrence & 6 general lanes, 2 dedicated lanes from Lawrence to Showers

59 Tipping Point Analysis Optimized Transit Project Option Location of Dedicated Lanes Ded. Lane Miles Highest Ridership Lowest Travel Time Lowest Net O&M Cost Lowest Capital Cost Lowest Annualized Cost Per Boarding Total Benefits Sum of Rankings Total Benefits Ranking Optimized Showers to Lafayette BRT 500 Showers to Lafayette (5 min) Option C Bernardo to Lafayette Option D Option F Option E Option A Option B Showers to Bernardo and Wolfe to Portola Embarcadero to Showers and Halford to Lafayette Showers to Bernardo and Halford to Lafayette Halford to Lafayette; No Build north of Halford Halford to Lafayette; mixed flow north of Halford

60 Bay Area BRT FTA Funding for Bay Area BRT Project Total Allocated through 2012 Total Requested Oakland, East Bay BRT $47.4M $75M SF, Van Ness BRT $45.4M $75M Fresno, FAX Blackstone BRT $17.8M $38.5M State Funding $90 Million Prop 1B for Santa Clara Alum Rock BRT

61 ü6

62 Bay Area BRT

63 Optimized Transit Project Option Location of Dedicated Lanes Ded. Lane Miles Highest Ridership Lowest Travel Time Lowest Net O&M Cost Lowest Capital Cost Lowest Annualized Cost Per Boarding Total Benefits Ranking Optimized Showers to Lafayette BRT 500 Showers to Lafayette (5 min) Option C Bernardo to Lafayette Option D Option F Option E Option A Option B Showers to Bernardo and Wolfe to Portola Embarcadero to Showers and Halford to Lafayette Showers to Bernardo and Halford to Lafayette Halford to Lafayette; No Build north of Halford Halford to Lafayette; mixed flow north of Halford

64 Analysis of Options

65 Analysis of Options Walk the alignment

66 Analysis of Options Walk the alignment

67 Analysis of Options Walk the alignment

68 Analysis of Options Walk the alignment

69 Analysis of Options Walk the alignment

70 Hybrid Vehicle Walk the alignment

71 Enhanced Stations Walk the alignment

72 Station Photosimulations El Camino Real and Scott Blvd in Santa Clara Existing

73 Station Photosimulations El Camino Real and Scott Blvd in Santa Clara Opening Day with BRT

74 Station Photosimulations El Camino Real and Scott Blvd in Santa Clara Future Buildout

75 Station Photosimulations El Camino Real and Castro Street Existing

76 Station Photosimulations El Camino Real and Castro Street Opening Day with BRT

77 Station Photosimulations El Camino Real and Castro Street Potential Future Buildout

78 Station Photosimulations El Camino Real and California Avenue in Palo Alto Existing

79 Station Photosimulations El Camino Real and California Avenue in Palo Alto Opening Day with BRT

80 Does BRT compete with Caltrain? No. Caltrain and the Valley Rapid service serve different types of travel markets. The Valley Rapid service focuses on short and medium range, all- day trips while Caltrain focuses on commute periods and longer trips. Caltrain is projected to have more riders than the system will be able to carry. Some of the overflow could be served by Valley Rapid.

81 What Happens to Traffic BRT helps to mitigate congestion that may result from intensification of land uses 2035 Base Enhanced Transit Moderate Land Use Enhanced Transit Moderate Land Use Enhanced Land Use Enhanced Transit Enhanced Land Use

Bus Rapid Transit on Silicon Valley s El Camino Real: Working Together to Create a Grand Boulevard Steven Fisher

Bus Rapid Transit on Silicon Valley s El Camino Real: Working Together to Create a Grand Boulevard Steven Fisher Senior Transportation Planner Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority San Jose, CA How