- - - D R A F T - - -
December 29, 1997
Len Madsen, Transit Planner
King County Transit
821 Second Avenue MS 51
Seattle, WA 98104RE: University District Transit Corridor Project - Conceptual Scope
Dear Len:
The University Community Urban Center Plan will include as an element a project to evaluate and improve trasit circulation withdin the key transit corridors of the University Community Center (UCUC). As you are well aware, transit circulation problems are already a major issue within the area. Transit service to the proposed RTA stations and University of Washington growth projections will compound the existing situation. In this context, I am taking the opportunity to outline my perception of what such a study could include, a study process, and resources that are available to support the effort. Please keep in mind tat this scope is preliminary in nature and is intended to encourage discussion and develop interest for the project.
Existing Conditions
Existing levels of traffic congestion within the UCUC are attributable to a number of sources. The greatest source of congestion is the result of motorists traveling through the UCUC between adjacent communtities and the regional freeway system. The University is the second greatest contributor and non-University destinations within the District are the smallest contributor to traffic volumes.
The University relies extensively on (and heavily subsidizes) transit as a primary transportation mode for its students and staff. UCUC residents also rely heavily on transit. The ability to provide effective transit service is affected by vehicle volumes that nhibit transit circulation. There have been a number of transit related studies completed that resulted in spot improvements in some areas. Improvements to date have largely focused on improving transit circulation without affecting vehicle circulation. This balance between transit and vehicle circulation requirements is beginning to shift.
This shift is illustrated by the priority placed on improved transit circulation within the UCUC Plan by the community. This is further evidenced by community support for the "Ave" Plan, which will allow transit coaches to stop in travel lanes on University Way NE to load and unload passengers. Support for this plan indicates a fundamental shift in priorities that places transit circulation before vehicle circulation.
Given the projected growth of the University, UCUC growth projections, increasing UCUC reliance on transit, and the transit demands associated with serving two RTA light rail stations, it is clear that transit circulatin within the UCUC will become even more critical in the near futute.
In this context, I have prepared the following project outline to present my concept of an approach to assessing existing transit corridor operations and developing modificatins that would improve transit cirulatrion.
Project Objective
I visualize that the objective of this project is to produce a set of modificatins to key transit corridors within the UCUV that would result in improved transit speeds. Such modifications could include turning restrictions, lane lestrictins, channelization, transit priority at signals, signal modifications, and transit routing. The challenge in this effort would be to achieve an appropriate balance between transit and vehicle demands for street capacity and circulation priority.
Project Approach
The area of study should include the following primary transit corridors:
- NE Pacific Street betwen Montlake Boulevard and 15th Avenue NE
- 15th Avenue NE between NE Pacific Street and NE 50th Street
- University Way between NE Pacific Street and NE 50th Street
- NE 45th Street between Interstate 5 and 17th Avenue NE
- NE 50th Street between Interstate 5 and 15th Avenue NE
- Selected approaches to these corridors.
Information required to analyze existing circulation patterns would include the following:
- Intersection volumes and turning movements.
- Intersection channelization.
- Signal timing and phasing.
- Distances between intersections.
- Transit volumes.
- Transit routing.
- Transit stops.
- Transit ridership volumes at key stops.
With this information a basic assessment of existing corridor operations could be made. Such an assessment would include Level of Service (LOS) for each intersectin within the corridor, queue delays, and identification of constraints within the corridors. This would provide the basic framework that would be used to model future operating scenarios. These scenarios could incoude increased transit and vehicle volumes, transit routing modifications, changes to the number and locatio of transit stops, and increases in transit ridership.
It is assumed that growth in transit service could result in decreases in transit reliability because of traffic congestion. In order to maintain or improve transit reliability it would be necessary to improve transit circulation at the expense of vehicle circulation. Historically, the public has readily accepted improvements to transit circulation as long as they have not affected vehicle circulation. As discussed above, this political reality is losing its grip within the UCUC. I believe that corridor modifications that improve transit circulation at the expense of vehicle circulation are critical to improving transit circulation and would be accepted by the community. Such modifications could include the following:
- Turning restrictions.
- Peak hour lane restrictions.
- Routing modifications.
- Transit stop consolidation or location changes.
- Signal modifications.
- Transit priority at selected signals.
- Channelization modifications.
- Changes in curb use.
Selected modifications would be modeled to determine potential effects on both vehicle and transit circulation. The resulting comprehensive set of corridor modifications could be tested where required and implemented over time.
Project Stakeholders and Resources
There are a number of factors in place that make this project timely. They include the following:
- Existing congestion levels within the UCUC are an issue.
- Transit circulation is a community priority within the UCUC plan.
- Public agencies all recognize transit ciruclatin as a priority issue.
- RTA station planning needs to incorporate transit access and circulation.
- The University is about to begin its General Physical Development Plan.
These factors should be enough to generate the resources necessary to make this project a reality. Such an undertaking would require a unified effort and support from the University, the University District Community, King County Transit, Community Transit, RTA, SeaTran, Office of Management and Planning, and other affected agencies or groups.
As you are aware, I have been providing transportation planning services for a number of projects within the affected area. These include:
- University of Washington North Campus Plan
- University of Washington Law School EIS
- University Community Urban Center Plan - Transportation Element
- University Village Circulation and Parking Assessment
- University Transit Staging Study
- Roosevelt Square Traffic Impact Analysis
My familiarity with the area and its transportation challenges and constraints has reinforced my belief that transit must play a large role in meeting the mobility needs of the community. Now is the time to begin planning the modifications to transit corridors that will result in improved transit circulation.
As mentioned above, the intent of this letter is to outline a very general project scope and generate interest in the project. It is my hope that it will generate discussion that will lead to a more refined scope and project support.
Please feel free to give me a call at (425) 883-4134 to discuss this conceptual scope in more detail.
Sincerely,
David W. Johnson
Transportation Manager
Transportation Solutions, Inc.