A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO TRANSPORTATION AT SUNTRUST PARK AND THE BATTERY ATLANTA Overview The Atlanta Braves strategically selected the location for SunTrust Park to provide an environment rich in transportation infrastructure and technology to elevate the complete fan experience. This report presents an informative overview of the SunTrust Park Transportation Plan (SPTP) for the Atlanta Braves 2017 opening season in Cobb County, Georgia and provides the following transportation related information to the public: Defines the Atlanta Braves Transportation Vision Describes the transportation management process and components associated with the development of the SunTrust Park Transportation Plan Describes the transportation infrastructure system that will be in place opening season 2017 and beyond Describes specific components of the SunTrust Park Transportation Plan This is an active website that links and informs multiple populations with the ways and means to successfully travel to and from SunTrust Park. The Atlanta Braves in collaboration with Cobb County and other stakeholders have worked together to develop the SunTrust Park Transportation Plan. Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park Vision The new home of the Atlanta Braves will be the first of its kind - a destination that will simultaneously build and integrate a state-of-the-art Major League Baseball ballpark with a multi-use development and community. Different from Turner Field, SunTrust Park creates an environment and experience that disperses traffic over longer periods of time before and after games and over a larger geographic area by providing: Pre and post-game dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities Amenities and recreation for the whole family Special game day events Access to the Ballpark from over 14 access locations and regional travel routes Parking dispersed around the perimeter of the Ballpark as opposed to centralized parking that forces traffic onto the same routes Use of technology for real time communication to our fans and the community Structured and shared parking facilities that are more sustainable than surface parking Since the selection of the site in the Cumberland area of Cobb County, the Atlanta Braves and Cobb County have been partnering to focus on optimizing the flow of traffic and pedestrians for a safe and efficient game-day experience. Page 1
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Outline of SunTrust Park Transportation Plan Components The SunTrust Park Transportation Plan includes the following components which are further described in this report: Project Management Plan SunTrust Park and the Atlanta Battery Plans and Studies developed to respond to the master plan Public Information Communication Systems Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Pedestrian Improvements Technology and Transportation Systems Improvements Parking for SunTrust Park Transit for SunTrust Park ADA Transportation Services for SunTrust Park Game Day Information Neighborhood Plan Project Management Plan From the initial decision to move to the new location, the Atlanta Braves have focused on collaboration with a team of local and regional stakeholders to bring optimum transportation solutions to support the success of the Ballpark and the Battery Atlanta. The Braves continue to team with Cobb County, Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID), Georgia DOT, City of Smyrna, City of Marietta, City of Sandy Springs, Cobb Chamber of Commerce and many other agencies and consultants who have dedicated time and resources to inform and direct the development of this Transportation Plan. Starting with the initial master planning through detailed design the Braves have relied on the best of the traditional built environment, state of the art technology and the strength of collaborating with stakeholders to deliver this comprehensive transportation plan to the public. SunTrust Park and the Battery Atlanta Ready to welcome fans and visitors on Opening Day of 2017, SunTrust Park and the Battery Atlanta, will be the preeminent sports and entertainment venue in the country. The Battery will redefine the traditional model of a "live, work, play" development into a "play, work, stay" destination, with SunTrust Park as its crown jewel. Planning Documents and Studies The following studies were performed by stakeholders to inform and enhance the SunTrust Park Transportation Plan and fan experience. Page 3
Braves Development of Regional Impact (DRI) Traffic Study. This comprehensive regional traffic study was the largest DRI ever in the state of Georgia and included 37 intersections surrounding SunTrust Park. The study identified a number of transportation improvement projects that are currently being designed and constructed to support SunTrust Park and the surrounding area. Cobb County SunTrust Park Area Transportation Improvement Study. In addition to the DRI, Cobb DOT performed a traffic study to further understand year round traffic operations and to identify additional transportation improvements to benefit the Cumberland area. Cumberland Area Pedestrian Plan. Cobb DOT performed a pedestrian study to evaluate and recommend pedestrian accommodations throughout the Cumberland area, including potential event-specific recommendations. Cobb County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). The CTP is a long-range transportation study that considers existing transportation needs (mobility, transit, multiuse trails, and sidewalks, etc.) as well as future transportation needs. The study identified a number of improvements for the Cumberland area which is designated by the County as a high-density Regional Activity Center (RAC). Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Livable Communities Initiative (LCI). The study, commissioned by ARC, focuses on the urban-edge City known as the Cumberland area. A comprehensive list of transportation projects were identified for roadways, streetscape and multi-use trails, many of which have already been designed and constructed and benefit SunTrust Park and the surrounding area. Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) Bike Study. The CID is conducting a study to evaluate and recommend bike routes and accommodations to provide a safe and efficient route for cyclists as well as secure bike storage areas. Public Information Communication Systems The Braves are developing a comprehensive public information communication process and system to connect to their fans, stakeholders and the community to provide real time information to deliver a safe, efficient and on time movement of vehicles and pedestrians to and from the Ballpark. Components of the public information system under development include the following: Press releases announcing game day information including pre and post-game activities, first pitch time and special events SunTrust Park Official Site: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/suntrust-park/ Game Day Information Tickets Parking Activities Page 4
Cobb County web site: http://cobbcounty.org click SunTrust Park tab on the right Cobb Commute app provides real time traffic conditions: http://cobbcommute.org/ Interstate and local digital variable message signs (VMS) to provide real time traffic and routing information Social media - Facebook/Twitter/Email/text pushes Transportation Infrastructure Improvements The Atlanta Braves strategically selected the location for SunTrust Park to offer a location with an abundance of existing and proposed transportation infrastructure systems. The site is bordered by high capacity arterial roads that extend north, south, east and west reaching out from the Ballpark into the region. The site can be readily accessed by the adjacent interstate system, I-75 north and south and I-285 east and west. The site benefits from a number of significant transportation improvement projects that were being designed or constructed prior to the Braves decision as well as a number of projects that are being designed and constructed to support the project. On opening day fans can expect major improvements that increase capacity and improve safety for both vehicles and pedestrians along Cobb Parkway, Circle 75, Windy Ridge Parkway and I- 285 that will be substantially complete. Construction will continue on the high capacity diverging diamond interchange at Windy Hill Road and I-75, the managed lanes project that allows users to pay a toll and ramp up onto express lanes to by-pass the area as well as other projects for pedestrians and vehicles. Pedestrian Improvements In addition to traditional roadway projects, there are three pedestrian bridge projects that will connect significant off-site parking areas with the Ballpark. Providing pedestrian connections enables a wider spread of parking locations to be utilized, which disperses the impacts of event traffic. The pedestrian/transit bridge across I-285 will provide realistic parking solutions on the south side of I-285 by providing a safe and direct pedestrian crossing over the Interstate. The bridge also provides pedestrian connectivity to the Cumberland Transfer Center, Cumberland Mall, and the Galleria. The Windy Ridge Parkway bridge over I-75 is being widened to provide a generous and safe pedestrian route from the parking areas on the east side of I-75 to Circle 75 Parkway. At Circle 75 Parkway, a third bridge will cross over the intersection Circle 75 Parkway at Windy Ridge Parkway to the Ballpark. This bridge will safely transport pedestrians from the east side of I-75 as well as the parking areas along Circle 75 Parkway north of the Ballpark. Interstate North Parkway Page 5
will be improved, including wider sidewalks connecting to Windy Ridge Parkway to create a continuous, safe pedestrian route to the Ballpark. Additional sidewalks and multi-use trails along Circle 75, Windy Ridge Parkway and Cobb Parkway (around the perimeter of the SunTrust Park and Battery site) will create additional pedestrian connectivity to the Ballpark. Technology and Transportation Systems Improvements In addition to the comprehensive system of roadways that surround the site, traffic in the Cumberland area is managed by state of the art advanced Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to monitor and manage traffic in the area. Cobb County effectively utilizes an adaptive traffic signal system at over 150 intersections that use video cameras and radar linked with software to respond to real time traffic volumes. By opening day the ITS system will have been expanded in the greater Cumberland area to include the following: Over 10 additional intersections managed by the integrated adaptive signal system Over 280 traffic and security surveillance cameras integrated with the Cobb County traffic management center and SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta command centers Over 20 digital variable message signs (VMS) located in the greater Cumberland area Four major digital variable message signs (VMS) located on each leg of the adjacent interstate system Over 20 Bluetooth travel time monitoring system (TTMS) receivers in greater Cumberland area Parking for SunTrust Park The selection of the site was further supported by the abundance of available parking in the surrounding commercial market as well as land available for new parking decks and parking lots. These locations allow fans to park in locations aligning with their direction of travel, resulting in fewer vehicles directly on the site, reducing congestion and conflicts with pedestrians. Fans will be encouraged to purchase parking with their tickets to enable pre-game traffic routing. Smartphone apps, variable messaging signs, websites and parking attendants will be used to communicate parking availability and travel routes to our fans. Game Day Information will provide additional specifics of parking availability. Transit for SunTrust Park SunTrust Park will be supported on opening day by CobbLinc and the new Cumberland area circulator system that will link people with places they work, live and play, including SunTrust Park Page 6
and the Battery Atlanta. CobbLinc has several bus routes currently serving the Cumberland area. The Cumberland Transfer Center located adjacent to Cumberland Mall is the transfer point to and from MARTA bus service and additional CobbLinc routes. CobbLinc is also considering game day park and ride lots from key locations around the County to transport fans directly to and from the Ballpark. Access to MARTA is available via the CobbLinc Route 10 which provides quick access from MARTA s Arts Center Station. Fans will be able to get off at the Cumberland Transfer Center to transfer to the Cumberland Circulator for door-to-door service or remain on Route 10 until the intersection of Cobb Parkway at Windy Ridge Parkway, approximately 1/3 of a mile from SunTrust Park. In addition to the public transit agency needs, SunTrust Park will provide drop off and pick up zones for Charter buses, Uber and taxis. As opening day approaches, game specific routes and schedules will be publicized. ADA Transportation Services for SunTrust Park SunTrust Park has been designed with the latest advancements for persons with disabilities to enjoy the complete fan experience. ADA parking will be available at certain Braves affiliated parking facilities with courtesy carts/wheelchairs to transport fans directly to the Ballpark and back to their parking location. Paratransit drop off and pick-up will be provided directly adjacent to the ballpark. Game Day Information As opening day approaches there will be specific game day information posted on the SunTrust Park website and available by smart phone app. Parking and travel routes will be specific to the date, day of the week and time of first pitch. Information will also include special events, promotions and travel tips to enhance the game day experience Neighborhood Plan The Atlanta Braves have immersed themselves and have invested heavily in the Cumberland area. They are working with community leaders, property owners and County staff to provide information on event traffic and best ways to route around game day traffic and minimize the impact. As opening day approaches more detailed information will be provided. Page 7