Tysons

Tysons Corner Circulator StudyBoard Transportation Committee

June 12, 2012

Tysons

Tysons Circulator Study

1. The Comprehensive Plan for the Tysons Corner Urban Center calls for a System of Circulators in Tysons Corner to:

A. Provide quick and convenient access for Metrorail passengers to and from locations within Tysons but beyond walking distance from the Metrorail Stations, and

B. To provide a quick and convenient way to travel within Tysons.

Background:

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Tysons Circulator Study

2. Follow-on motion 11 specifically pertains to the Circulator Study and directs staff to “issue an RFP for the circulator study” and to “bring the results of that study to a future Board Transportation Committee Meeting for discussion”.

3. An RFP for the Circulator Study was issued in December of 2010 and the contract was awarded to a team lead by AECOM in March of 2011.

Background:

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Study Purpose

• LONG RANGE (2050) Planning study to support Tysons Corner redevelopment and rezoning process– Design circulator system to support goal of maximizing

transit trips/minimizing auto trips

• Identify needed transit preferential treatments – Support a reliable and effective circulator system– Identify required expansion of right of way – may require

additional adjacent land

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Tysons Circulator Study

Tysons Planning Process

• Peer analysis of circulator systems in other cities • Project goals and objectives • Network development process • Long range ridership forecasts• Transit preferential treatments • Mode options • Operating and capital costs • Finalize recommendations

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TysonsNetwork Development Process

• Five preliminary networks developed initially– Based on sound route design principles– Long range design based on 2050 forecasted

conditions – Evaluated based on number and percentage of

trips beginning/ending within ¼ mile of each network

– Network #1 and Network #2 selected for more detailed evaluation

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Network #1: Three Route Network

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Network #2: Four Route Network

Tysons Ridership Forecasts

• Utilize regional forecasting model – reflect 2050 conditions

• Four key variables impact ridership– Service frequency – Circulator fare – Parking cost – Travel time (speeds)

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Tysons Ridership Forecasts

• Two ridership scenarios

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Scenario #1 Scenario #2

Frequency 6 minutes peak, 10 minutes off-peak

4 minutes peak, 6 minutes off-peak

Fare $1.00 No fare

Parking Costs Higher than Tysons currently – reflects costs

in Wilson Boulevard Corridor

Higher than Tysons currently – reflects costs

in Wilson Boulevard Corridor

Travel Speeds Based on Lower Level of Dedicated Transit Lanes

Based on Higher Level of Dedicated Transit Lanes

Tysons Ridership Forecasts

• Scenario #1 (Mid-range variables)

• Scenario #2 (Aggressive variables)

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Network Total Ridership Transfer from Metrorail

Non-Metrorail Riders

Network #1 17,600 6,200 11,400

Network #2 16,600 7,400 9,100

Network Total Ridership Transfer from Metrorail

Non-Metrorail Riders

Network #1 33,700 12,300 19,400

Network #2 33,300 14,400 18,900

TysonsDetailed Network Evaluation

• Evaluation criteria – Daily ridership– Boardings per revenue hour – Operating cost per rider– Capital cost per rider– Circulator travel time between select

origins/destinations – Change in transit mode share

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TysonsDetailed Network Evaluation

• The three route network performed better than then four route network on most of the key evaluation results. Ridership estimates were close between the two options.

• Preliminary Staff Recommended Network – Three Route Network

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Three Route Network

Four Route Network

Ridership XProductivity X

Operating Cost per Rider X Capital Cost Per Rider X

Tysons Mode Evaluation

Purpose:

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• To identify the most appropriate transit mode for each route within the selected circulator network.

Tysons Mode Evaluation

Based on:

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• Projected ridership, • Capacity of Mode,• Headway requirements, • Right of way requirements,• Roadway congestion levels along each route,• Constructability of required, infrastructure to support each

mode, • Impacts of selected mode on other modes sharing the roadway

network, and• Maintenance facility requirements

Tysons Mode Evaluation

Modes evaluated:

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• Streetcar

• Bus (40’ and 60’ lengths)

• Driverless Personal Rapid Transit

Tysons Mode Evaluation

Mode Recommended: 40’ and/or 60’ Bus

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• Sufficient capacity to meet ridership demand can be achieved on all routes, under both networks, through the use of a 40’ or 60’ bus.

• Lower capital and operating costs.

• Greater flexibility to be re-routed as required.

TysonsTransit Preferential Treatments

• Types – Dedicated transit lanes – Queue jumps – Transit signal priority

• Factors considered – Level of congestion (speed)– Queue length at intersections – Transit vehicle volumes– Person carrying capacity

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TysonsIdentified Areas for Exclusivity

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Tysons Next Steps

• Select final network• Finalize transit preferential treatment

recommendations, as appropriate• Calculate costs • Refine ridership forecasts – final network • Complete final report in July 2012• Recommend Relevant Changes to Comprehensive

Plan• Begin process to secure funding

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Questions

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