Charlotte Area Transit System Sprinter Enhanced Bus Project Implementation NCAMPO Conference May 2012 Travis Pollack, AICP

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 2

3 Presentation Overview Definition of Enhanced Bus Development of CATS Enhanced Bus Service Characteristics Implementation of First Enhanced Bus Line Lessons Learned

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 4 CATS 2030 Transit Plan 5 High Capacity Corridors Blue Line LRT opened 2008 Streetcar recommended for Center City and West Corridor to Airport Projected Airport/West Corridor completion date Begin premium service on West Corridor in interim

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 5 What is Enhanced Bus? Runs in mixed traffic Moderate to significant operations improvements New vehicles Improved stops/amenities (shelters, signage, including variable message signs)

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 6 What is Enhanced Bus? Isnt Enhanced Bus Bus Rapid Transit? (No.) Enhanced Bus Bus Rapid Transit

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 7 Defining Enhanced Bus Review of Enhanced Bus in North America: LA Metro Rapid –3 to 10 min. headways –Some signal prioritization –¾ mile stop spacing –Distinctive color scheme –Shelters and real-time info –Stops serve only Metro Rapid –28 routes, 450 route miles

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 8 Defining Enhanced Bus Review of Enhanced Bus in North America: Kansas City MAX –2 routes, 15 miles, 9 to 15 min. headways –Some exclusive lanes & signal prioritization –Standard shelters, signs and lighting (monuments) –Named stops

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 9 Defining Enhanced Bus Review of Enhanced Bus in North America: Las Vegas MAX –12 miles, 2 routes, some exclusive lanes –Named stops, TVM, level boarding –Distinctive vehicle

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 10 Sprinter Enhanced Bus Characteristics min. service headways all day Limited stops, possibly with signal priority Consistent amenities at stops – public art, distinctive shelters, signage Variable message signs at high ridership locations New vehicles with hybrid technology Unambiguous routing with clear route info at stops Distinctive brand – separate from other CATS services (Sprinter)

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 11 Sprinter Enhanced Bus Characteristics PremiumStandardMinimum* Signage CATS sign with Sprinter logo and route name Stop name (e.g., Airport, Ashley) signage Schedule Line stop map Map of all Sprinter Services Variable Message Sign (schedule arrival or next bus information) CATS sign with Sprinter logo and route name Stop name (e.g., Airport, Ashley) signage Schedule Line stop map CATS sign with Sprinter logo and route name Stop name (e.g., Airport, Ashley) signage Schedule Seating/Shelter High quality shelter with benches Bench, if right-of- way available Lighting Dedicated lighting Existing street/area lighting Other Trash receptacle Public Art Trash receptacle Public Art ---- Sprinter Manual – Elements at Stops *Minimum standards only apply with zoning or other regulations prohibit Standard or Premium elements

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 12 Sprinter Enhanced Bus Characteristics Selected Stop Design

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 13 Sprinter Enhanced Bus Characteristics Selected Stop Design

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 14 Sprinter Enhanced Bus Characteristics Selected Stop Design

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 15 Sprinter Implementation Overlay or replace service? –Sprinter Airport replaces Rt. 5 –Stop spacing: ½ to 1 mile (Overlay= 1 to 2 miles) Analyze existing ridership, stops, existing/future markets Evaluate routing –Efficiencies –Overall travel time Agency & Public coordination

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 16 Sprinter Implementation First Sprinter Line: Replace Rt. 5 to Airport Analyzed O/D rider survey data, stop data Findings: –Riders heavily transit dependent –Mostly connect to/from other lines –High proportion of work/home trips –Non-standard work shifts (Airport) –37 stops each way – only 12 had at least 10 riders/day

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 17 Sprinter Implementation Insert Fig. 1 map

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 18 Sprinter Implementation Insert Fig. 1 map

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 19 Sprinter Implementation Stop Analysis – reduced number of stops from 37 to 17 Need to continue service transit dependent neighborhoods, interface with other routes Want competitive travel time for choice riders New downtown routing – serve hotels, arena and convention center if feasible

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 20 Sprinter Implementation Center City Route Analysis Old Bus Rt. 5

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 21 Sprinter Implementation Stop Site Selection: more difficult than imagined –Near existing signalized intersections –Far side of intersection (if feasible) –Must connect to sidewalk network (ADA) –Available power supply (lighting/VMS) –Clear sight lines –Away from driveways –If possible, at or near existing bus stop –If possible, within public right-of-way –NCDOT clear zone requirements* *(if on NCDOT controlled roadway)

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 22 Sprinter Implementation 110 ft. 210 ft. 420 ft. 530 ft.

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 23 Sprinter Implementation Implementation Issues –Securing easement (condemnation) –NCDOT clear zone requirements & shelter approval –Duke Energy (pole, power and meter for VMS) –Shelter, signage & vehicle procurement –Approval/cooperation from other City departments –Contractors

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 24 Sprinter Enhanced Bus Official Opening: September 2009

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 25 Sprinter Enhanced Bus

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 26 Sprinter Enhanced Bus

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 27 Sprinter Airport Service 17 (one way)Approximately 36 (one way) Number of Stops 21 to 23 minutes25 to 29 minutes Average Trip Time (CTC to Airport) Every 30 minutesHourly Weekends Every 30 minutes (hourly after 10 PM) Hourly Night (after 7 PM) Every 20 minutesHourly Mid-day and Evening Every 20 minutesEvery 30 minutes AM and PM Peak Airport Route 5

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 28 Sprinter Enhanced Bus: Results CATS Sprinter: 62% increase, FY08-FY12 Rest of CATS Local Bus: 2%-3% increase, FY08-FY12

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 29 Sprinter Enhanced Bus: Results

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 30 Sprinter Enhanced Bus: Lessons Learned Start early –Routing, stops, easements, procurement, outreach Develop service parameters and follow them –Document what Enhanced Bus means, how it differs from other services Consider short-term &long-term goals for service –Existing riders, new riders, future transit It can work, and can be done inexpensively –CATS Sprinter: $20K to $35K per stop

NCAMPO 2012 Conference 31 Sprinter Enhanced Bus More information: Travis Pollack, AICP Ext. 16 or CATS website:

Thank you.