The RTA supports accelerating multimodal transportation solutions for the Western Triangle region. They have advocated for transit projects like bus rapid transit and light rail. Recently, the RTA endorsed a fully-electric, enhanced bus rapid transit (3eBRT) concept for the Durham-Orange corridor as a way to potentially accelerate transit improvements. 3eBRT could begin immediately and scale over time, offering enhanced regional connections at a lower capital cost than light rail. However, light rail remains the long term vision supported by county referendums, with environmental reviews completed. The landscape presents challenges from funding limits, but the RTA framework considers mobility and connectivity goals as well as risks and uncertainties.

1. RTA perspectives and engagement on
Accelerating Multimodal Transportation Solutions
for the Western Triangle
Joe Milazzo II, PE, RTA Executive Director
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development and Public Policy Committee
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017

2. • 100 companies
• 23 member chambers of commerce
• Strong public and private partners
• Executive volunteers in 11 focus areas, from
freeways and transit to policy and tech innovation
• Dedicated RTA professional staff
About the RTA business coalition

3. RTA engagement on transit

4. RTA engagement on transit
Led RTA intercity trips since 2005 including: San Diego, Dallas,
Denver, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, Austin, N. Virginia

5. Coordinated Bus On Shoulder System (BOSS), now in 3 counties
RTA engagement on transit

6. Pushed bus rapid transit-based approach for Wake Co. transit plan
RTA engagement on transit

7. Led media/communications strategy for Wake transit campaign
RTA engagement on transit

8. RTA transit engagement
in the western Triangle

9. RTA multimodal focus in western Triangle
• Supported referenda in Durham and Orange counties 2011-12
• Continue to support repeal of rail funding cap in legislature
• Suggested dual use with Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber in 2016
• Created Multimodal 54 initiative with GoTriangle in 2016
• Supported Durham-Orange extension to NC Central in 2016
• Elevated “3eBRT” concept for corridor in 2017

10. RTA multimodal focus in western Triangle
Created Multimodal 54 initiative with GoTriangle in 2016
FOCUS:
Immediate and shorter-term opportunities
to enhance the multimodal performance
of portions of the NC 54 corridor to the
west of the I-40 interchange/exit 270.

11. RTA multimodal focus in western Triangle
Created Multimodal 54 initiative with GoTriangle in 2016

12. High-capacity transit for
Durham-Orange corridor

13. Durham-Orange light rail corridor

14. Rationale for light rail in Durham-Orange corridor
• Known, proven technology
• Electric propulsion, no point source emissions
• Dedicated, fixed corridor
• Predictable travel time, over time
• High performance as usage grows
• Track record of focusing development along fixed rail corridors

15. Status of light rail in Durham-Orange corridor
• Referenda in 2011, 2012 based on plan that included light rail
• Broad support for project
• Completed environmental document, including NCCU extension
• Current funding and financing framework

16. 3eBRT approach
RTA business coalition recently endorsed a
fully-electric, enhanced, exclusive bus rapid transit
(“3e” BRT) alternative for the Durham-Chapel Hill corridor,
As a means to potentially accelerate and enhance the
Durham-Orange corridor and our regional transit future.

17. Risks associated with 3eBRT approach
• Additional environmental study required for 3eBRT concept
• Federal funding for engineering this spring would not apply to 3eBRT
• 3eBRT not permitted within NC Railroad corridor in Downtown Durham
• Potential for lower speeds if 3eBRT on shared Downtown Durham streets
• Lower per-vehicle capacity
• Concerns about impact on traffic at crossings

18. • Lack of familiarity with 3eBRT concept
• No guarantee of future federal or state funding
• Would require a significant pivot in approach to pursue a 3eBRT concept
• Limited support at present time
Additional risks associated with 3eBRT approach

19. Landscape as of early 2017
• State funding continues to be more limited than previously expected
• Potential for additional local funding requests to keep project moving
• Light rail projected opening date delayed to 2028
• Bonding payments expected to continue until 2062
• Limited local funding for vital regional connections, e.g. commuter rail
• All three counties have passed referenda for dedicated local funding
• Bus rapid transit has evolved, and continues to progress

20. Elements outside our community’s control
• Federal funding eligibility and support
• State funding eligibility and support
• Our economy and impact on local sales tax revenue
• Growth in local market
• Impact on future ridership levels and travel preferences

21. RTA business coalition: analysis framework
• What mobility problem(s) are we trying to solve right now?
• What problem(s) are we trying to anticipate and solve in the future?

22. • Sources of risk and uncertainty – financial and technological
• Opportunity costs of local funding and time
• 10, 20, 30 years from now, what would we most regret having not done?
RTA business coalition: analysis framework

23. 3eBRT approach
RTA business coalition has endorsed a
fully-electric, enhanced, exclusive bus rapid transit
(“3e” BRT) alternative for the Durham-Chapel Hill corridor,
As a means to potentially accelerate and enhance the
Durham-Orange corridor and our regional transit future.

24. RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT
• Bus Rapid Transit performed well in 2012 Alternatives Analysis
• Electric buses now exist and feasible, while costs have fallen
• Bus Rapid Transit expanding in U.S.
• 5 bus rapid transit corridors
opening within decade here
• Transit oriented development
demonstrated nationally
around bus rapid transit

25. Performed well in 2012 Alternatives Analysis
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

26. Electric buses now exist and feasible, while costs have fallen
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

27. Transit oriented development demonstrated nationally around BRT
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

28. 5 bus rapid transit corridors approved and opening within decade
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

29. • 3eBRT could start immediately
• Scalable solution; dedicated segments could be added over time
• Enhanced regional connections
via interlining
• Could add external stations to
emphasize “one seat,
no transfer required” connectivity
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

30. RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT
• Enhanced regional
connections via interlining
• Can add external stations
to emphasize “one seat,
no transfer required”
connectivity
• Higher effective frequency
within the corridor

31. • Enhanced regional
connections via interlining
• Can add external stations
to emphasize “one seat,
no transfer required”
connectivity
• Higher effective frequency
within the corridor
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

32. • 3eBRT could operate within
corridor between hospitals
• 3eBRT could operate on
NC 147, I-40 freeways
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

33. • 3eBRT could operate on
existing streets
• Potential for reduced
impact on traffic at crossings
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

34. • Lower required capital costs, and overall capital costs
• Lower federal funding requirements
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

35. Could free up funding to advance commuter rail and other regional linkages
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

36. Automation/technological innovation has accelerated
RTA rationale for considering 3eBRT

37. • Support high-capacity linkage between Durham and Chapel Hill
• Supported referenda in Durham and Orange counties 2011-12
• Supported Durham-Orange extension to NC Central in 2016
• Continue to support repeal of rail funding cap in legislature
• Support federal funding for regional transit
RTA and Durham-Orange corridor

38. • Referenda in 2011, 2012 based on plan that included light rail
• Completed environmental document, including NCCU extension
• Current funding and financing framework
• Broad support for project
Status of light rail in Durham-Orange corridor

39. "The spirit of liberty
is the spirit that is not too sure it is right."
- Judge Learned Hand

40. RTA perspectives and engagement on
Accelerating Multimodal Transportation Solutions
for the Western Triangle
Joe Milazzo II, PE, RTA Executive Director
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
Economic Development and Public Policy Committee
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017