Joe Milazzo, director of the Regional Transportation Alliance, made a presentation to the Economic Development & Public Policy Committee on June 7, 2011. He reviewed the draft regional transit plan for the Triangle and the Bus on Shoulder System (BOSS).

1. Regional Transportation Alliance
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
Regional Transportation Update
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Joe Milazzo II, PE
Executive Director, RTA

2. Regional Transportation Alliance
• 23 chambers of commerce, 100+ members
• Founded by Cary, Chapel Hill-Carrboro,
Durham and Raleigh Chambers in1999
• Voice of regional business community on regional
transportation issues
• “Business leaders for regional mobility”

3. Regional Transportation Alliance
• Focus on advancing top mobility priorities:
– Highways
– Transit
– High speed rail
– Air service
• Economic vitality and quality of life

4. 2011 RTA Action Plan
• Legislation and policy
- Catalyze regional transportation policy
• Streets and Highways
- Construct Triangle Connector to I-85
- Coordinate I-40 Regional Partnership
• Regional Transit
- Encourage vetted transit plans, progress towards referendum
• Intercity High Speed Rail
- Advance high speed rail between Richmond and Raleigh
• Air Service
- Increase flights at RDU and assist with marketing efforts
• Member Relations and Development
- Foster retention, engagement, outreach

5. 2011 RTA Action Plan
• Legislation and policy
- Catalyze regional transportation policy
• Streets and Highways
- Construct Triangle Connector to I-85
- Coordinate I-40 Regional Partnership
• Regional Transit
- Encourage vetted transit plans, progress towards referendum
• Intercity High Speed Rail
- Advance high speed rail between Richmond and Raleigh
• Air Service
- Increase flights at RDU and assist with marketing efforts
• Member Relations and Development
- Foster retention, engagement, outreach

6. 2011 RTA Action Plan
• Streets and Highways – additional priorities
- Keep the 540/Triangle Expressway turnpike/extension moving
- Accelerate I-40 widening south of Raleigh
- Designate US 64 east as future Interstate
- Seek improvements to US 64 west and NC 54 east

7. 2011 RTA Action Plan
• Streets and Highways – additional priorities
- Keep the 540/Triangle Expressway turnpike/extension moving
- Accelerate I-40 widening south of Raleigh
- Designate US 64 east as future Interstate
- Seek improvements to US 64 west and NC 54 east

8. Regional transit – recent activity
2006 – TTA withdraws federal funding request for regional rail plan
2007 – Special Transit Advisory Committee (STAC) of business and
civic leaders charged with forging a new vision for transit
2008 – STAC recommends 51 mi of rail, expanded bus, circulators
2009 – MPOs (Metro planners) approve long-range plan w/ transit
2009 – Legislature passes Intermodal (H148) and Rail (H1005) bills
2009,10 – Raleigh, Durham begin free, rapid downtown circulators
2008,10 – NC Railroad commuter rail capacity, ridership studies
2010/11 – Triangle Transit conducting Alternatives Analysis of rail
2011 – Three counties exploring possible rail, bus plans

9. Regional transit
Chamber /RTA focus on transit
– 1989-present – Continued support for transit options
– 2005 – RTA trip to San Diego (light rail/trolley, commuter rail, etc.)
– 2007/8 – Cary, Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill visits to Charlotte
– 2008 – RTA created region’s first transit overview map
– 2008/9 – Supported Special Transit Advisory Commission (STAC)
– 2009 – RTA trip to Dallas (express commuter rail, light rail, etc.)
– 2009 – Turnpike groundbreaking after 4-5 years of effort
– 2009 – Successfully lobbied for local empowerment legislation
– 2009 – RTA coordinated study of transit funding with Mike Walden

10. Regional transit
Chamber /RTA focus on transit
– 2009/10/11 – RTA /Chamber transit polling held
– 2010/11 – RTA Transportation Breakfast – County Leaders Remarks
– 2010 – RTA Annual Meeting included interactive exercise
– 2010/11 – RTA action team meetings / “Making Transit Simpler”
– 2010/11 – RTA outreach on transit
– 2010/11 – Coordinate I-40 Regional Partnership meetings / Focus on
Bus on Shoulder Systems (BOSS)
– 2011/11 – Alternatives Analysis Outreach Steering Committee
– 2011 – RTA trip to Denver – commuter rail, light rail, transit circulator,
multi-modal transit stations, multiple referenda
– 2011 – RTA Solutions Forum – Regional Transit Improvements
– 2011 – Preparation for Referendum / Referenda

11. Regional transit – current process
2010 – We have STAC vision, MPO plan, commuter rail studies
2010-11 – Ongoing rail alternative analysis and local bus studies
2011 ? – Elected leaders decide:
– What the regional plan should look like in each county:
Specific bus, rail, circulators … and priorities for each
– Whether, and when to take the plan to referendum

12. Regional transit – current process
2010 – We have STAC vision, MPO plan, commuter rail studies
2010-11 – Ongoing rail alternative analysis and local bus studies
2011 ? – Elected leaders decide:
– What the regional plan should look like in each county:
Specific bus, rail, circulators … and priorities for each
– Whether, and when to take the plan to referendum
Based on strength of economy

13. Regional transit – current process
2010 – We have STAC vision, MPO plan, commuter rail studies
2010-11 – Ongoing rail alternative analysis and local bus studies
2011 ? – Elected leaders decide:
– What the regional plan should look like in each county:
Specific bus, rail, circulators … and priorities for each
Based on goals of and input from community
– Whether, and when to take the plan to referendum
Based on strength of economy

14. Regional transit – current process
2010 – We have STAC vision, MPO plan, commuter rail studies
2010-11 – Ongoing rail alternative analysis and local bus studies
2010-11 – Business community must engage in the dialogue about
what our enhanced transit system should be
2011 ? – Elected leaders decide:
– What the regional plan should look like in each county:
Specific bus, rail, circulators … and priorities for each
Based on goals of and input from community
– Whether, and when to take the plan to referendum
Based on strength of economy

15. Regional Transit
What is transit?
- Travel within a metro area
- In a vehicle that you don’t own
- That you don’t have to drive, and don’t have to park
Why don’t people use transit more often?
- They have to think about how to use it before they go
- It won’t get them where they want to go in time for
many trips
Enhancing transit options would enhance transit usage

16. Regional Transit
What is transit?
- Buses
- Rail
- Circulators
- Private taxis and shared-ride shuttles

17. Local Buses
• Backbone of any local transit system, provides movement within city
• Most run continuously during day and perhaps evening as well
Max wait for next bus (“headway”)
Typically 15 - 60 minutes
Can be added in 1 year

18. Regional or Commuter Buses
• Backbone of any regional transit system, routes to/through the region
• Some may run continuously, others just during peak hours
Max wait for next bus (“headway”)
Typically 20 - 60 minutes
Some only run in peak
Can be added in 1 year

19. Light Rail
• What many people think of when they hear “transit”
• Provides all-day movement within city, stops every mile or less
Max wait for next light rail train
Typically 5 - 15 minutes
Up to 30 mins. off-peak
Can be open in 9 years

20. Commuter Rail
• Connects outlying workers to regional employers
• Can provide rail connection within region; most trains in peak only
Max wait for next commuter train
Typically 20 - 60 minutes
Most run only in peak
Can be open in 6 years

21. Local Circulators
• Intended to solve the “last mile problem” for major destinations
• Rapidly circulating buses and trolleys reduce parking needs
Max wait for downtown circulator
Typically 3 - 15 minutes
Can be added in 1 year

22. Area Circulators
• Emerging personal rapid transit (PRT) seeks to reduce most waiting
• Provides non-stop, point-to-point “last mile” service for an area
Max wait for next PRT vehicle
Typically 0 - 5 minutes
Can be open in 6 years

23. Private Taxis, Shared-Ride Shuttles
• Complements public transit by providing premium service option
• Shared-ride less expensive than taxi but adds intermediate stops
• Both SuperShuttle and RDU Airport Taxi serve RDU airport today
Max wait for next taxi, shared-ride
Typically 0 - 15 minutes

24. Rail corridors being studied
(continued)

25. Commuter rail options by 2025
(continued)

26. Light rail options by 2025
(continued)

27. Light rail options by 2025
(continued)

28. Regional transit – current process
2010 – We have STAC vision, MPO plan, commuter rail studies
2010-11 – Ongoing rail alternative analysis and local bus studies
2010-11 – Business community must engage in the dialogue about
what our enhanced transit system should be
2011 ? – Elected leaders decide:
– What the regional plan should look like in each county:
Specific bus, rail, circulators … and priorities for each
Based on goals of and input from community
– Whether, and when to take the plan to referendum
Based on strength of economy

29. High Speed Rail
• SE HSR corridor will link region to
Richmond, Washington DC,
Hampton Roads, points north on
Northeast corridor
• January 2010 - NCDOT received
approval for $500m in federal
funding for Raleigh-Charlotte
upgrades, future service options
• May 2011 - Raleigh Richmond
link received $4m in federal
funding for environmental and
ridership studies

30. Bus Planning
• new service
• increased frequency
• park and ride
• amenities
Financial Model
The
Public Input • Balance of Bus & Rail
draft
• Settings for variables
• Use of borrowing Plan
• Plan must be affordable!
Alternatives
Analysis
• Light Rail
• Commuter Rail
• Stations 30
• Cost Estimates

31. DRAFT Orange Bus and Rail Investment Plan
Bus Investment Rail Investment
• New bus hours by end of • Opening year of Light Rail
FIRST year – 22,050 hrs – 2025
• New bus hours by end of • LRT Capital Cost - $330 m
THIRD year - 44,100 hrs • LRT Annual Operating
• Total number of new bus Cost – $3.2 m
hours by 2035 – 50,400 hrs
• MLK Busway
Improvements completed * Sales Tax Growth Rate –
-2017
3.6 %
• Potential Rail Dividend Bus
Hours – 30,000 to 45,000

32. Durham-Orange (Light Rail)
32

33. Light Rail
Connection at the
Durham and Orange
County Boarder
33

34. 34

35. 35

36. Elements of draft plan
• Light rail: Chapel Hill to Durham
― 10 minute frequency during peak
― 20 minute rest of day/evening/weekends
― 17 miles, 35 minutes including stops [avg. 29 MPH]
― 17 stations, from Smith Center to Durham/Alston
― 2035 projections: > 12,000 boardings per day
― $1.4b total capital cost for corridor [$82m/mi]
― $15m annual O&M costs for corridor

37. Elements of draft plan
• Commuter rail: Durham to Raleigh
― 20-30 minute frequency during peak
― “opportunity for some limited off-peak service”
― “no initial weekend service is planned”
― 37 miles, 51 minutes including stops [avg. 44 MPH]
― 12 stations, from W Durham-RTP-Cary-Raleigh-Garner
― 2035 projections: > 7,000 boardings per day
― $645m total capital cost for corridor [$17m/mi]
― $11m annual O&M costs for corridor

38. Elements of draft plan
• Expanded bus service – Durham only
― Currently DATA provides 177,000 hours of service
― Plan would add 50,000 hours in first three years
― Plan would add additional 27,000 hours over 23 yrs
― $15m in small capital costs

39. Elements of draft plan
• Expanded bus service – Orange only
― Currently Chapel Hill transit provides 190,000 hours of
service
― Plan would add 44,000 hours in first three years
― Plan would add additional 6,000 hours over 22 yrs
― Plan would implement Bus Rapid Transit on MLK, at a
capital cost of $22m
― $19m in small capital costs beyond MLK BRT

40. Elements of draft plan
• Summary of draft plan – Durham only
― Rail Capital: $1,669m (YOE$) = $1,350m (2011$)
― Rail O&M: $283m
― Bus Capital: $47m
― Bus Ops: $151m
― Debt: $136m
• Summary of draft plan – Durham only
― Rail Capital + O&M: 89% (2011 $)
― Bus Capital + O&M: 11%

41. Elements of draft plan
• Summary of draft plan – Orange only
― Rail Capital: $423m (YOE$) = $330m (2011$)
― Rail O&M: $58m
― Bus Capital: $41m (including MLK bus lanes)
― Bus Ops: $127m
― Debt: $23m
• Summary of draft plan – Orange only
― Rail Capital + O&M: 70% (2011 $)
― Bus Capital + O&M: 30%

42. Financial Resources available for Transit
• Local revenue in Transit Investment Plan
― ½ sales tax
― $7 vehicle registration fee
― $3 increase in Triangle Transit vehicle fee
― Rental car tax revenue
• State participation – 25% assumed for rail
• Federal participation – 50% assumed for rail

43. Financial Resources available for Transit
• Overall assumptions
• “All of the elements listed in the Draft
Durham County Bus and Rail Investment Plan
are fiscally constrained.”
• “At every turn, the Plan has been
conservative in revenue assumptions and
through added contingencies for capital
and operating expenditures.”

44. Financial Resources available for Transit
• RTA/Chamber poll results for 1/2c tax
Orange County
2011 59.2 For, 37.6 Against, 3.2 Unsure
2010 61 For, 35 Against, 4 Unsure
2009 56.6 For, 37.4 Against, 6.0 Unsure
Durham County
2011 59.7 For, 33.6 Against, 6.7 Unsure
2010 58 For, 41 Against, 2 Unsure
2009 52.2 For, 45.9 Against, 2.0 Unsure

45. Financial Resources available for Transit
• RTA/Chamber poll results for 1/2c tax + 1/4c tax
Orange County
2011 55.1 For, 35.9 Against, 6.7 Unsure (total 3/4c)
2011 59.2 For, 37.6 Against, 3.2 Unsure (1/2c alone)
Durham County
2011 54.2 For, 40.3 Against, 5.5 Unsure (total 3/4c)
2011 59.7 For, 33.6 Against, 6.7 Unsure (1/2c alone)

46. Approval Process:
Who Must Approve Bus and Rail Investment Plan?
• Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO
• Triangle Transit Board of Trustees
• Orange County Commission
• Durham County Commission
* All municipalities within Durham and Orange County
must receive copy of Bus and Rail Transit Plan for review
* Each county can act alone if desired, although
Triangle Transit is implementing agency for 2+ counties

47. Orange County Transit Plan dates
• DCHC MPO TAC Financial Plan Review – May 11
• BOCC Briefing – May 17
• Triangle Transit Review of D/O Financial Plan – May 25
• BOCC Review of Financial Plan – June 7 (tonight)
• MPO open houses on plan – June 14, 16 in Orange Co.
• DCHC TCC Approval of D/O Financial Plan – June 20
• DCHC TAC Approval of D/O Financial Plan – June 22
• Future BOCC meetings to approve plan and authorize
referendum – TBA, next meeting is June 21
• Triangle Transit Board Approval – June 22

48. Durham County Transit Plan dates
• DCHC MPO TAC Financial Plan Review – May 11
• Durham City Council review of plan – May 19
• Triangle Transit Review of D/O Financial Plan – May 25
• BOCC Review of Financial Plan – June 6
• MPO open houses on plan – June 7, 8, 15 in Durham Co.
• DCHC TCC Approval of D/O Financial Plan – June 20
• DCHC TAC Approval of D/O Financial Plan – June 22
• Future BOCC meetings to approve plan and authorize
referendum – next meetings are June 13, 27
• Triangle Transit Board Approval – June 22

49. Chamber and enhanced transit
Suggested guidance regarding possible action
• Treat discussion of position on plan separate from
discussion of position on referendum
• Recognize that plan is in draft form, at least right now
• Evaluate plan based on whether it meets and reflects
needs and desires of community today and in future
• Be clear about assumptions, tradeoffs, and choices
inherent in the plan
• Evaluate position on and support for referendum based
on timing -- after decision on plan reached

50. Bus on Shoulder Systems (BOSS)

51. Bus on Shoulder Systems (BOSS)
• Buses bypass slower traffic on
freeways or boulevards when main
lanes less than 35 MPH
• Buses limited to 35 MPH on shoulder
• Buses cannot go more than 15 MPH
faster than other traffic

52. Bus on Shoulder Systems (BOSS)
States with active bus on shoulder programs:
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic NJ, DE, VA, MD
South FL, GA
Midwest MN*, OH
West CA, WA
Minnesota was first
to implement Bus
on Shoulders over
20 years ago

53. Bus on Shoulder Systems (BOSS)
Encourages transit usage
• Creates time predictable,
reliable alternative to
congestion
• Avoids thinking on journey
• Allows more people/vehicles
to travel during congested
periods
• Keeps buses on schedule
• Saves transit operating costs

54. Bus on Shoulder Systems (BOSS)
• I-40 Regional Partnership Initiative focus
• NC BOSS Implementations and Operations Plan
approved draft by NCDOT, FHWA, Triangle Transit
• Summer 2011:
• Selection of pilot BOSS corridors
• Shoulder improvements / restrictions
• Finalization of driver training program

55. Regional Transportation Alliance
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
Regional Transportation Update
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Joe Milazzo II, PE
Executive Director, RTA