North Shore Alternatives Analysis
May 2012
Agenda
¾ Study Process and Progress to Date
¾ Short List Alternatives Screening
¾ Traffic Analysis ¾ Conceptual Engineering
¾ Ridership Forecasts
¾ Refinement of Service Plans
¾ Supplemental Environmental Data Collection
¾ Cost Refinements
¾ Recommendation and Conclusion 2
Study Area
3
Study Process
Define Project Purpose, Need, Goals and Objectives
Fatal Flaw Screening
Long List
Screening
Select LPA and Complete
Alternatives Analysis
Short List
Screening
We are here
Project Goals:
Environmental Impact Study
1) Improve Mobility
Preliminary
Engineering
2) Preserve and Enhance the Environment, Natural Resources, and Open Space
3) Maximize Limited Financial Resources for the Greatest Public Benefit
Final Design
Construction
Operation
4
Previous Activities
¾ Defined Project Purpose, Need, Goals and Objectives
¾ Long List Screening eliminated:
¾ Ferry alternative ¾ Alternatives terminating at Arlington
¾ Heavy rail and diesel light rail
¾ Short List retained for further study: ¾ Transportation Systems Management (TSM)
¾ Electric Light Rail to West Shore Plaza (LRT)
¾ Bus Rapid Transit to West Shore Plaza (BRT)
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Transportation System Management (TSM)
• Existing bus operations with two new routes.
• Would include some route extensions to proposed Transit Center at Arlington
• Does not make use of the former NS Rail right‐of‐
way
• Federal process requires consideration of a low‐cost alternative
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Transportation System Management (TSM)
Alignment Map
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Electric Light Rail Alternative (LRT)
Alignment & Stations
• Light Rail service on two new tracks
• Build a dedicated transitway generally using the North Shore right‐of‐way between St. George and Arlington
• Travels from Arlington to West Shore Plaza in mixed traffic on South Avenue
• Trains would meet St. George Ferry service, and depart shortly after ferry arrival
• 15 total proposed stations
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Electric Light Rail Alternative (LRT)
Associated LRT Service Changes
• Reduced number of buses on Richmond Terrace: S40/S90 route would be discontinued upon LRT opening. The S48/S98 would be extended west and north (to cover the area north of the ROW).
• S46/S96 is truncated at Elm Park/Morningstar
• Reduced number of stops on transitway between St. George Terminal and Arlington
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Electric Light Rail Alternative (LRT)
Alignment & Stations
West Brighton
Elm Park/ Morningstar
Arlington
Mariners Harbor
Forest Ave
Bloomfield
Teleport
New Brighton
Livingston
Port Richmond
Goethals Rd
Lois Lane
West Shore Plaza
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Ballpark
St. George
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Alternative
Alignment & Stations
• Build a dedicated busway generally using the North Shore right‐of‐way between St. George and Arlington.
• Travels from Arlington to West Shore Plaza in mixed traffic on South Avenue.
• Buses would meet St. George Ferry service, and depart shortly after ferry arrival.
• 15 proposed stations
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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Alternative
Associated Bus Service Changes
• Reduced number of buses on Richmond Terrace: S40/S90 route would be discontinued upon BRT opening. S48/S98 would be extended to cover this service west of Arlington.
• S46/S96 is truncated at Elm Park/Morningstar
• Reduced number of stops on transitway between Arlington and St. George Terminal
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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Alternative
Alignment & Stations
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Ridership Forecasts: AM Peak Ridership
• Ridership forecasts were produced for Short List Alternatives
• MTA Regional Transit Forecasting Model (same travel demand model used by the MTA for transit expansion projects) • NYCT measures segment users: total travelers using the service in either direction
Alternative AM Period Segment Users
Transportation Systems Management*
5,060
Electric Light Rail to West Shore Plaza
10,590
Bus Rapid Transit to West Shore Plaza
12,120
*TSM total shows total AM riders on proposed TSM alternative S99 and S83 routes. 14
Environmental Analysis
Environmental Categories and Potential Impacts
Alternative
Noise
Visual
Air Quality
Env. Justice
Land Use
Hist/
Arch
Haz Mat
Coastal/ Ecology
TSM
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
9
9
LRT
9
99
‐
9
99
9
99
99
BRT
9
9
99
9
99
9
99
99
– Little or no impacts 9 some impacts
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99 most impacts
Summary of Short List Alternatives
Alternative
# of Stations
Traffic Impacts
Travel Time
WSP to St. George (min.)
Estimated
AM Peak
Ridership
O & M
Costs
(2010$)
Capital
Costs
(2010$)
Potential
Environmental
Impacts
Existing Conditions
N/A
N/A
50
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Transportation
Systems
Management
All Existing
None
37
5,060
$4.5m
$36m
Least impacts
Electric Light Rail to West Shore Plaza
15
Some;
fully mitigable
21
10,590
$7.0m
$645m
Some impacts
Bus Rapid Transit to West Shore Plaza
15 with existing stops beyond
busway
Some;
fully mitigable
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12,120
$6.5m
$371m
Some impacts
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Recommendation
Bus Rapid Transit
BRT Selected as Locally Preferred Alternative
•Lower capital costs than Light Rail
Port Richmond ‐ Proposed Busway (aerial view)
17
Recommendation
Bus Rapid Transit
Port Richmond ‐ Proposed Busway close‐up
18
Recommendation
Bus Rapid Transit
View of street level connection between BRT service and Staten Island Ferry
19
Recommendation
Bus Rapid Transit
BRT Selected as Locally Preferred Alternative
•Would reduce travel time
•Would improve access to key locations
•Would attract new riders
View of Snug Harbor from Kill Van Kull
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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Alternative
Arlington Station Park & Ride
Arlington ‐ Proposed station (aerial view)
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Alternative
Freight Rail Coordination
PROPOSED FREIGHT
TAIL TRACK EXTENSION
PROPOSED BUSWAY
IN CUT
10’‐15’ FT HIGH
RETAINING WALL
KEEP EXISTING
EMBANKMENT
• Potential future tail track on north side
• Proposed BRT guideway on south side
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Alternative
Freight Rail Coordination
• Potential future tail track on north side
• Proposed BRT guideway on south side
Questions or Comments:
MTA New York City Transit
ATTN: North Shore Alternatives Analysis 2 Broadway, 17th Floor, Room A17.53
New York, NY 10004
or Email: NSAA@Zetlin.com
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