infrastructure investments for a sustainable downtown nashville - the circulator

Our Mission

• Provide an on-line resource for decision makers

• Raise awareness about mass transit issues and Transit Now Nashville

• Make the financial case for providing mass transit in Nashville

Our Goals

Transit Now is a grassroots organization with a mission to promote mass transit options and raise awareness of its benefits for the people living in the Greater Nashville Area.

www.transitnownashville.org

Mar. 18th

CityTHINK

• Encouraging Ridership

• Downtown Circulator

• Review of the past transit study

• Research in Peer Cities

•Wrap up session – Q&A

Presentation Outline

Precedence ResearchNashville Civic Design Center: The Plan of Nashville

Cumberland Region Tomorrow

Urban Land Institute - Infrastructure 2008

Nashville Area MPO studies

TDOT PlanGo and Nashville’s Downtown Transportation Plan

Nashville MTA – Strategic Master Plan

Nashville’s Transit History

Source: www.historicnashville.com

Downtown Circulator

Downtown Circulator

Downtown Circulator

Downtown Circulator

Fosters More Livable Communities

• Transit impacts land use

• Transit can stimulate development location & type

• We need effective with policies and actions that promote TODs

Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/ Source: prairiecrossing.com

Boosts Real Estate Values

• Real estate – residential and commercial – served by public transportation can command higher rents and maintain higher value than similar properties not as well served by transit.

Many examples include:– Dallas– Denver– San Diego

Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/

Stimulates Economic Development

• $10 million in capital investment yields $30 million in increased sales, while each $10 million in operating investment yields $32 million

• Every $1 taxpayers invest in public transportation generates up to $6 in economic returns

• And transit creates and sustains jobs – 47,500 for each billion dollars invested—and yields a six-fold return on public investments

Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/

By the year 2025, 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 and over and many will be unable to drive.

One fifth of person 65 and older do not drive.

Provides Mobility for Seniors

Source: www.apta.com/research/stats/

Americans Want More Transit

Public Transit Ridership Set a 52-Year High in 2008

In Nov 2008, voters in 16 states approved 74% of public transit-related ballot measures despite the economic conditions

Image source: www.rideuta.com

Supporting MTA

• A Voice in the Community• Awareness of MTA Needs and Goals• Research and Best Practices

What We Know

45% Increase in Ridership Since 2002

More Transit, More Options!

Priorities

Improving the Image of Transit

MarketingHow-to-Use-Transit TrainingEnhanced Amenities

Encouraging Ridership

• How-to Films• Video Contests• “Man on the Street”• User-generated Content

Transit Week

What’s In It For Me?

• Environmental Impact• Economic Benefits• Ease and Convenience

Challenges

• Intimidated/First-time Users• Socioeconomic• Convenience

Downtown Circulator

• Making Connections– Land Use

• Civic– Municipal Buildings– Parks and Greenways– Transportation Nodes

• Commercial– Retail– Office– Hotels / Convention Centers– Entertainment

• Residential– Condos– Apartment Buildings– Town homes

MTA Circulator Concept

titleDowntown Circulator

• Two Types of Circulators– Inner City

• Downtown Connections• Civic Nodes• Business Districts• Entertainment• Medical Districts

– Inner Neighborhood • Civic Nodes• Business Districts• Entertainment• Inner Ring Neighborhoods

Insert Image

titleDowntown Circulator

• Strategies – Branding (Highly Visible)– High Frequency– Dependable– Connect to existing Transit

Downtown Circulator

THE GREEN LINE

titleDowntown Circulator

• Phasing– Phase I – Bus Shuttles– Phase II – Light Rail Connector– Phase III – Light Rail System

Downtown Circulator

Downtown Circulator

April Urban Design Forum

“The Downtown Circulator - Part II”Thursday, April 16th 5:30 – 7:00 PM

The Plan

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Metro Square

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Metro Square

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Public Square

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: MTA Transfer Hub

Policy 1: Multimodal TransportationComponents: Clement Landport

Policy 9: Implementation Phase IComponents: Trolleys

Peer Cities

• Criteria for comparison may include:– Population– Density– Industries and Employment– Attractions– Geography– Government

Downtown Circulators

• The gap between regional and on foot transit options:– Can be bus, street car or light rail in form– Functions as the connection between regional

and commuter transit hub to destination areas

Jacksonville

• Circulator served by trolleys and skyway

Jacksonville

• Trolley System– Three free routes– One route connects downtown to a nearby

neighborhood with midday service for 50 cents a ride.

– Free summertime trolley to nearby beaches

Jacksonville

• Skyway System– An automated monorail system with trains

stopping at stations every 3 minutes during peak periods and every 6 minutes at other times

– Interconnected with free trolley service– Will connect to BRT lines – Offer low cost Park-N-Ride facilities for

commuters and visitors

Louisville

• Bus and Trolley service similar to Nashville

Louisville

• How their Circulator works– Historic replica rubber tire trolleys on two main

routes: – Trolley runs every 12-15 minutes weekdays– Runs every 12-20 minutes on Saturday– Route hours vary; some evening service

Louisville

• Details– Fare is 50 cents – Trolley stops are clearly marked– Free trolley service for their First Friday art

crawl and their Last Friday tour of Frankfort Avenue restaurants, art galleries and shops

– Connection service to traditional bus circulators.

Raleigh-Durham Triangle

• Recent report [May 2008] recommends:– Enhanced Local & Regional Bus Network– Circulators

• Airport to business and convention center districts• Downtown Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill & Cary

Raleigh-Durham Triangle

• Recent report [May 2008] recommends:– Heavy Rail [Diesel Multiple Unit]

• Between cities using existing railroad ROW– Light Rail

• Between Chapel Hill to Durham

Raleigh-Durham Triangle

• How it works– Historic replica rubber tire trolleys on two main

routes: – Trolley runs every 12-15 minutes weekdays– Runs every 12-20 minutes on Saturday– Route hours vary; some evening service

Other Cities to Consider

• Portland– Multimodal

• Denver– Free downtown shuttle– Linked to light rail & commuter rail

• Tampa– Trolley and light rail– Funded by TIF (discounted fare for residents in TIF

zone)

Best Practices

• Links to other modes• Free service in core• Easy to use• Parking opportunities• Attractive

Best Practices

• High frequency• Connections to nearby neighborhoods• Evening & weekend service• Special event service• Serve residents, tourists, & employees

Wrap up Session - Q&A

Weekly Meetings NCDC 11:30-1pm

Transit Week 13-19th