R. SCOTT WHEELER MAYOR • TOWN OF ADDISON, TEXAS June 24, 2003 Post Office Box 9010, Addison, Texas 75001-9010 (972) 450-7026 Fax (9'72) 450-7043 E-mail: swheeler@ci.addison.lX.us The Honorable John Cornyn United States Senate 517 Hart Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Cornyn: This is to express my concern over a proposal that may come before the Senate Finance Committee that will shift almost all of the motor fuel tax money .that currently goes to mass transit, toward support for federal highway programs. The Town of Addison is a member city of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System and we have been waiting patiently for urban passenger rail transit to serve our Town. This proposal that would cut funds for mass transit would certainly further delay many transit projects, not only in our system, but all across the country. Accordingly, we ask that you take whatever steps appropriate to oppose this measure and any such change in transit financing. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about this request. Sincerely, R. Scott Wheeler Mayor R. scon WHEELER MAYOR • TOWN OF ADDISON, TEXAS June 24, 2003 Post Office Box 9010, Addison, Texas 75001-9010 (972) 450-7026 Fax (972) 450-7043 E-mail: swheeIer@ci.addison.tx.us The Honorable John Comyn United States Senate 517 Hart Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Cornyn: This is to express my concern over a proposal that may come before the Senate Finance Committee that will shift almost all of the motor fuel tax money that currently goes to mass transit, toward support for federal highway programs. The Town of Addison is a member city of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System and we have been waiting patiently for urban passenger rail transit to serve our Town. This proposal that would cut funds for mass transit would certainly further delay many transit projects, not only in our system, but all across the country. Accordingly, we ask that you take whatever steps appropriate to oppose this measure and any such change in transit financing. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about this request. Sincerely, R. Scott Wheeler Mayor RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION DART SERVICE AREA ftI'.....􀀮􀀬􀀮􀀮􀁊􀁾.....IIiLGlE... IHEIGHTS LEGEND R.O.W. ACQUIRED BY DART -----R.O.W. WITH PURCHASE OPTION R.O.W. TO BE ACQUIRED RAILTRAN R.O.W. • LRT STARTER SYSTEM • TRANSIT CENTER DRAWN BY DART CADO DEPARTMENT 1992 NON CBO BUS ROUTES ® TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN DART SERVICE AREA LEGEND ••••••••• COMMUTER RAIL LINE (1990 • 1996) PART OF STARTER SYSTEM ·.H..",.·" H.O.V. TRANSITWAY (1990·2010) -LIGHT RAIL STARTER SYSTEM (1990 -1996) ..",,,nnn,,, LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM (1997 • 2010) ----. LIGHT RAIL EXTENSIONS (POST 2010) "''''"0""0< SYSTEM EXPANSION DRAWN BY DART CADD DEPARlVENT EXISTING & PROPOSED DART TRANSIT FACILITIES THROUGH 1996 • • ••••• • H.O.V. LANE IUMDD DEVI!I.OPIIEIIT) IXISTINQ •••••••• H.O.V. LANE IEXISTING) ...>.J.. 􀁜􀀬􀁾􀁜􀀮 􀁜􀀮􀁾.. SITE IE SITE 4E CBD BUS TRANSFER FACILITIEB Altern.Uv. loclltlona • BUB PUL8I! POIHT IEXBTINllI BUB TRANIIT CENTER IEllJ8TINGI) BUI PARK .. RDE IEIUITINa) LRT STARTER BYSTEII .. STATIONI IUJlDER DEVELOPIIEHT) COIIIIUT!II RAIL .. STATIONS IUNDER DEVROPIiENn SUI TRANSIT CENTER IUMDD DEVELOPllENT) BUI TRANSIT CENTER/PARK .. RIDE/PULIE POINT IUJlDER STIIIIY! BUS PA88EIlClER TRANSI'BI LOCATION IUNDD BTUDY! t BINCILETOH BLVD AT BERNAL 2 TORONTO AT W2lITIIORELAND S a'IlClLETON aLVD AT HAIIPTON ROAD " .lEI'I'ER80H BLVD AT WE8T1IORBLAHD ROAD a .lEFFEABOM BLVD/DAV18 STREET AT HAIIPTON a CAIIP WI8DOII ROAD AT WmllORELAND ROAD 7 LEDBETTER DRIVE AT HAIIPTON ROAD a LEDBETTER DRIVE AT BONNIE VIEW ROAD • LAD! JUNE ROAD AT BUCKNER BLVD to UATD! L KINO, JR. BLVD AT DAKLAND tt EXPOBITION AT PARRY •... • -=.--,-,' LEGEND .....e-.... ••PROPOSED: SUBURBAN TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES 1. Remain a part of DART and work for regionalism 2. Suburban cities withdraw and deal with individual transit needs through budget (ad valorem). 3. Suburban cities withdraw and form a regional transit authority funded by sales tax. 1. STAY WITH DART • How do we achieve the ability to function regionally? • Appointed vs. Elected Board -Eminent Domain? -Will Dallas ever respect the suburbs as partners? • Light Rail program will cost more and scheduled extensions will slip. Budget constraints will prevent expansion of the Bus system unless rail program schedule is extended even more. • Is access/mobility to downtown Dallas important to the economic future of the suburbs? 2. INDIVIDUAL CITIES DEAL WITH TRANSIT NEEDS ADVANTAGE • No MTA Tax on sales • Tailored program to needs DISADVANTAGE • Funded through property taxes • Less coordinated with other cities 3. FORM SUBURBAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY • MTA Tax: $82,489,000 collected from suburbs in FY91 • Suburban Bus service (Express and Local) Is currently provided by contract to DART by ATE ($20M/yr) • Cottonbelt Commuter Rail possible to DFW (need operating rights) • Other capital projects affordable (HOVs, Local Assistance) ... SUBURBAN TRANSIT ALTERNATIVE Concept Financial Plan Sources of FundsSales Tax Fare Box 􀁾 $82,489,000 $5,000,000 .NM $85,788,560 $5,000,000 􀁾 $89,220,102 $5,000,000 􀁾 $92,788,906 $5,500,000 1Jm $96,500,463 $5,500,000 ws. $100,360,481 $5,500,000 1m2 $104,374,901 $6,050,000 2.QQQ $108,549,897 $6,050,000 ITotal Sources of Funds $87,489,000 $90,788,560 $94,220,102 $98,288,906 $102,000,463 $105,860,481 $110,424,901 $114,599,8971 Uses of Funds Operating Uses of Funds Operating Expenses $4,000,000 $4,160,000 $5,826,400 $6,059,456 $6,301,834 . $6,553,908 $6,816,064 $7,088,706 Bus Operating Expense $20,000,000 $21,400,000 $22,898,000 $24,500,860 $26,215,920 $28,051,035 $30,014,607 $32,115,630 Bus & Van Replacement $4,000,000 $4,160,000 $4,326,400 $4,499,456 $4,679,434 $4,866,612 $5,061,276 $5,263,727 Capital PlannIng $3,000,000 $3,120,000 $3,244,800 $3,374,592 $3,509,576 $3,649,959 $3,795,957 $3,947,795 Capital Proarams Cottonbelt Commuter Rail $20,000,000 $30,000,000 $30,000,000 $30,000,000 Maintenance Facility $18,000,000 L Total Uses of Funds $69,000,000 $62,840,000 $66,295,600 $68,434,364 $40,706,764 $43,121,513 $45,687;904 $48,415,858 I Operating Reserve $7,750,000 $8,210,000 $9,073,900 $9,608,591 $10,176,691 $10,780,378 $11,421,976 $12,103,965 This plan assumes that the current Bus Fleet used in suburban service (200) and transit centers would become the property of the suburban entity. This represents $300M In assets, that was funded 80% by the Federal Government. The Cottonbelt Is a $20M asset that Is also assumed to be transfered. Any additional capital projects are eligible for Federal funding, subject to compliance with the extensive requirements of the process. 4/30/92 DART Sales Tax Trends 200,000,000 180,000,000 160,000,000 140,000,000 120,000,000 100,000,000 80,000,000 60,000,000 40,000,000 20,000,000o1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 til 􀁾onQ) o o Ia-: c>o< LL. os::: C'a Q. en ==== .c .... N ... CO 􀁾 '::R. ,.. .c 5 tit tit 􀁾 en 􀁾 en 􀁾 enm ... eta: CI) 􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁊􀁾 .s::: ...J·m -􀁥􀁴􀁾 0 een Population, Sales Tax Collections, & Per Capita Sales Tax Comparison between 1986 and 1991 DART Service Area 86 Population FY86 Sales Tax '86 Per Capita 1990 Census FY91 Sales Tax '91 Per Capita Dallas 941,700 $98,853,564 $104.97 1,006,877 $117,012,000 $116.21 Garland 174,550 $8,217,740 $47.08 180,650 $10,174,000 $56.32 Irving 141,600 $12,567,386 $88.75 155,037 $19,730,000 $127.26 Plano 108,000 $9,074,009 $84.02 128,713 $16,046,000 $124.66 Carrollton 68,450 $5,829,522 $85.16. 82,169 $8,572,000 $104.32 Richardson 74,250 $8,249,877 $111.11 74,840 $11,915,000 $159.21 Farmers Bran 24,400 $9,378,478 $384.36 24,250 $7,319,000 $301.81 Addison 9,550 $3,384,778 $354.43 8,783 $5,320,000 $605.72 Univ Park 22,550 $1,051,876 $46.65 22,259 $1,519,000 $68.24 Highland Pad 9,000 $833,240 $92.58 8,739 $922,000 $105.50 Rowlett 15,200 $534,665 $35.18 23,260 $639,000 $27.47 Coppell 10,500 $332,877 $31.70 0 $0 $0.00 Flower Mound 11,800 $212,051 $17.97 0 $0 $0.00 Glenn Hts 4,000 $26,293 $6.57 4,564 $37,000 $8.11 Cockrell Hill 3,050 $76,627 $25.12 3,746 $64,000 $17.08 Buckingham 103 $0 102 $232,000 $2,274.51 Total 1,618,703 $158,622,983 $97.99 1,723,989 $199,501,000 $115.72 DART-SYSTEM ELEMENTS BACKGROUND Shortly after being established in 1983, DART began implementing the original Service Plan with the initiation of express buses to downtown Dallas. These express buses started from leased parking lots owned by churches, shopping centers and movie theaters. Since then, there have been seven permanent transit centers built with another four currently under development. Over 100 buses and vans operating on 27 routes travel between these transit centers each weekday. These suburban local and crosstown routes carried over 3 million passengers last year. While establishing the basic level of transit service in cities that previously had no transit service was a high priority, work was also underway to develop a system of high capacity transit projects for the long term. The latest blueprint for these long range high capacity projects was approved by the DART Board of Directors in 1989. The DART Transit System Plan was developed following extensive community involvement and technical analysis, with emphasis on cost effectiveness. Listed below are elements of the existing system or Transit System Plan components. Maps depicting these components are attached. TRANSIT CENTERS Located throughout the DART service area, these facilities serve as collection points for passengers to access express buses to downtown Dallas and as transfer points for local and crosstown bus riders. Several of these facilities will also transition into park and rides for the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane system and/or rail stations. BUS NETWORK By establishing these transit centers, DART has been able to provide a grid bus route network in the northern tier of DART-member cities. This permits travel across the region without going through downtown Dallas. In 1983 there were two non-CBD routes, today there are 34 non-CBD routes with plans that could add another nine. As the bus network is modified to provide feeder service to the rail system there is the companion benefit of enhancing crosstown travel. DART Service Planning is studying expanding the grid network into Dallas with rail stations and transit centers serving as the focal points. THOROUGHFARE programs that rebuilt and/or service. IMPROVEMENTS There are three target arterials that should be widened to provide improved transit HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES -There are three intermediate action and three permanent high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in the DART System Plan. The six HOV's are in the following stages of development: Intermediate 1. East R.L. Thornton -opened in 1991. 2. Stemmons (north of LBJ) -will open in 1994. 3. LBJ -due operational intermediate 􀁯􀁾 LBJ) this Plan. Permanent to the relatively high cost and short life (between completion of this project and starting reconstruction project is no longer in the Financial 1. LBJ the HOV is a component of the reconstructed LBJ Freeway that is scheduled as an early construction item, opening in 2003. 2. North Central (north of LBJ) -the median of this recently rebuilt freeway was designed for simple conversion to an HOV when demand warrants. As part of the LBJ HOV project, direct connections to this North Central HOV will be built. 3. Stemmons (north and south of LBJ) this project will greatly improve mobility through the highly congested Stemmons/LBJ interchange. It will be designed to provide through trips on Stemmons as well as direct connections with the LBJ HOV. COMMUTER RAIL Using self-propelled vehicles, rail service to Irving is scheduled to be open in 1994, pending agreements with the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. Future extension to D/FW International Airport is in the Transit System Plan. LIGHT RAIL The first 20 miles, termed the starter System, are within the Dallas city limits. The first extensions are scheduled to Richardson, along the former Southern Pacific right-of-way and to Garland along the former Union Pacific right-of-way. The Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement, scheduled to start in the fall of 1992, will begin the development process for the North Central light· rail line extension into Richardson. This extension will provide rail service to the high employment areas in north Dallas, Richardson and Plano. RIGHT-OF-WAY PRESERVATION -DART has secured over 150 miles of linear right-of-way to preserve it for transit purposes. Among the purchases is the former Cotton Belt Railroad right-of-way which extends across the northern tier of DART-member cities. SUBURBAN TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES 1. Remain a part of DART and work for regionalism 2. Suburban cities withdraw and deal with individual transit needs through budget (ad valorem). 3. Suburban cities withdraw and form a regional transit authority funded by sales tax. 1. STAY WITH DART • How do we achieve the ability to function regionally? • Appointed vs. Elected Board -Eminent Domain? -Will Dallas ever respect the suburbs as partners? • Light Rail program will cost more and scheduled extensions will slip. BUdget constraints will prevent expansion of the Bus system unless rail program schedule is extended even more. • Is access/mobility to downtown Dallas important to the economic future of the suburbs? 2. INDIVIDUAL CITIES DEAL WITH TRANSIT NEEDS ADVANTAGE • No MTA Tax on sales • Tailored program to needs DISADVANTAGE • Funded through property taxes • Less coordinated with other cities 3. FORM SUBURBAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY • MTA Tax: $82,489,000 collected from suburbs in FY91 • Suburban Bus service (Express and Local) is currently provided by contract to DART by ATE ($20M/yr) • Cottonbelt Commuter Rail possible to DFW (need operating rights) • Other capital projects affordable (HOVs, Local Assistance) SUBURBAN TRANSIT ALTERNATIVE Concept Financial Plan Sources of FundsSales Tax Fare Box 􀁾 $82,489,000 $5,000,000 􀁾 $85,788,560 $5,000,000 􀁾 $89,220,102 $5,000,000 1996 $92,788,906 $5,500,000 lm.Z $96,500,463 $5,500,000 1W6. $100,360,481 $5,500,000 􀁾 $104,374,901 $6,050,000 2.QQQ $108,549,897 $6,050,000 [TOtal Sources ofFUrldS $87,489,000 $90,788,560 $94,220,102 $98,288,906 $102,000,463 $105,860,481 $110,424,901 $114,599,8971 Uses of Funds Operating Uses of Funds Operating Expenses $4,000,000 $4,160,000 $5,826,400 $6,059,456 $6,301,834 $6,553,908 $6,816,064 $7,088,706 Bus Operating Expense $20,000,000 $21 ,400,000 $22,898,000 $24,500,860 $26,215,920 $28,051,035 $30,014,607 $32,115,630 Bus & Van Replacement $4,000,000 $4,160,000 $4,326,400 $4,499,456 $4,679,434 $4,866,612 $5,061,276 $5,263,727 Capital Planning $3,000,000 $3,120,000 $3,244,800 $3,374,592 $3,509,576 $3,649,959 $3,795,957 $3,947,795 Capital Programs Cottonbelt Commuter Rail $20,000,000 $30,000,000 $30,000,000 $30,000,000 Maintenance Facility $$18,000,000 Total Uses of Funds $69,000,000 $62,840,000 $66,295,600 $68,434,364 $40,706,764 $43,121,513 $45,687,904 $48,415,858 I Operating Reserve $7,750,000 $8,210,000 $9,073,900 $9,608,591 $10,176,691 $10,780,378 $11,421,976 $12,103,965 This plan assumes that the current Bus Fleet used in suburban service (200) and transit centers would become the property of the suburban entity. This represents $300M in assets, that was funded 80% by the Federal Government. The Cottonbelt is a $20M asset that is also assumed to be transfered. Any additional capital projects are eligible for Federal funding, subject to compliance with the extensive requirements of the process. 4/30/92 DART Sales Tax Trends 200,000,000 180,000,000 160,000,000 140,000,000 120,000,000 100,000,000 80,000,000 60,000,000 40,000,000 20,000,00001984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 en c: .-o-oQ) o o .c..:. >< co < .... e en Q) co en T""" 0) >L1. fIl co co C fIl .c :E:E ... ....N ::I .c 􀁾 ... c:o 􀁾 ... ::I 􀁾􀁾 en 􀁾 􀁾 . . fIl ... (/)al (1) c:r:a: .r:: 􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁊􀁾 -...Jal 0 􀁣􀀺􀁲􀀺􀁾 CfIl Population, Sales Tax Collections, & Per Capita Sales Tax Comparison between 1986 and 1991 DART Service Area 86 Population FY86 Sales Tax '86 Per Capita 1990 Census FY91 Sales Tax '91 Per Capita Dallas 941,700 $98,853,564 $104.97 1,006,877 $117,012,000 $116.21 Garland 174,550 $8,217,740 $47.08 180,650 $10,174,000 $56.32 Irving 141,600 $12,567,386 $88.75 155,037 $19,730,000 $127.26 jPlano 108,000 $9,074,009 $84.02 128,713 $16,046,000 $124.66 Carrollton 68,450 $5,829,522 $85.16 82,169 $8,572,000 $104.32 Richardson 74,250 $8,249,877 $111 .11 74,840 $11,915,000 $159.21 Farmers Bran 24,400 $9,378,478 $384.36 24,250 $7,319,000 $301.81 Addison 9,550 $3,384,778 $354.43 8,783 $5,320,000 $605.72 Univ Park 22,550 $1,051,876 $46.65 22,259 $1,519,000 $68.24 Highland ParI 9,000 $833,240 $92.58 8,739 $922,000 $105.50 Rowlett 15,200 $534,665 $35.18 23,260 $639,000 $27.47 Coppell 10,500 $332,877 $31.70 0 $0 $0.00 Flower Mound 11,800 $212,051 $17.97 ° $0 $0.00 Glenn Hts 4,000 $26,293 $6.57 4,564 $37,000 $8.11 Cockrell Hill 3,050 $76,627 $25.12 3,746 $64,000 $17.08 Buckingham 103 $0 102 $232,000 $2,274.51 Total 1,618,703 $158,622,983 $97.99 1,723,989 $199,501,000 $115.72 7 MOBILITY 2010 UPDATE GOALS 1. ISTEA Requirements/Guidelines 2. Financially Constrained Plan 3. Public and Agency Involvement 4. Mobility and Access 5. Economic Growth/Land Use Compatibility 6. Multi-Modal/Congestion Management Alternatives 7. Right-Way Preservation 8. Innovative Financing/Additional Funding Needs 9. Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits 10. Guide Expenditure of Transportation Funds 11. Inventory and Maintain Needs Plan 3 .c: MOBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE ISTEA REQUIREMENTS Extend Plan to Metropolitan Area Boundary Develop a Financially Constrained Plan Include Transportation Enhancement Component Address Intermodal and Multi-modal Needs Account for Maintenance Costs Meet Air Quality Conformity/SIP Requirements Consider ISTEA's 15 Factors U1 MOBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE ADDITIONAL NEEDS Expand Congestion Management Component Refine Plan Recommendations by Mode Develop Consistency with TIP Improve on Cost Information Increase Public Involvement Provide Design Year Volumes en MOBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE ADDRESSING THE FINANCIAL SHORTFALL Implement a Multi-modal Management Approach Fund only Cost-Effective Capital Improvements Pursue Dallas-Fort Worth Share of State and Federal Discretionary Funds Develop Incentives for Local Government and Private Sector Participation Advance Additional Funding Options 􀁾 MOBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPTIONS Tollroad Construction Peak-Period Pricing Motor Fuel Taxes Motor Vehicle Registration Fees Truck Weight Taxes Impact Fees (Chapter 395) 1994 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PLAN -TxDOT National Highway System • Category 3A Funding Summary ($ millions) Level of Authority Fort Worth District Dallas District III $ 83.99 $ 4.50 II 187.45 900.98 I 1,075.03 333.80 Hold 520.93 269.33 $1,867.40 $1,508.61 Source: TxDOT, 1994 PDP September 1993 DRAFT TxDOT District 18 -2010 Funding Outlook -Base Case (Millions Current Year Dollar) Funding 􀀧􀀱􀀱􀀡􀀺􀁾􀀧􀁉􀁾􀁬􀁩􀀡􀀱􀁜􀀱􀀱􀀡􀁬􀁬􀁬􀁬􀁪􀀡􀁾􀁉􀁉􀁉􀁉􀁜􀁉􀁉􀁾􀁬􀁴􀁬􀁾􀁜􀁉􀀧􀁪􀁬􀁾􀀱􀀱􀀱􀀱􀀱􀀱􀀱􀀱􀁉� �􀁬􀁬􀀱􀁾􀀢􀁾􀁾􀂷􀂷􀁬􀁩􀁬􀁬􀁬􀁬􀁩􀁬􀁬􀂷􀀺􀁩􀁊 10 Year Total 10 Year for 10 Year for 17 Year Total Amount for Amount for SafetyI Category Within MAB Capacity Main. &Other Within MAB Capacity Main. &Other 1 Interstate Construction 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Interstate Maintenance (HOV) 156 0 156 265 0 265 3A NHS Mobility 538 538 0 915 915 0 3B Texas Trunk 95 95 0 161 161 0 3C NHS Rehabilitation 27 0 27 45 0 45 3D NHS Traffic Management 0 0 0 0 0 0 3E NHS Miscellaneous 8 8 0 14 14 0 4A* STP-Safety 58 0 58 99 0 99 4B* STP-Enhancements 58 0 58 99 0 99 4C STP-MM 289 289 0 491 491 0 4D STP-UM 32 32 0 54 54 0 4E STP-RM 24 24 0 40 40 0 4F State Rehabilitation 88 0 88 149 0 149 4G* STP-Railroad Grade Cross 16 0 16 27 27 0 5 CMAQ 288 0 288 490 0 490 6A On-System Bridge 117 117 0 198 198 0 6B Off-System Bridge 20 20 0 34 0 34 7 Preventive Maintenance 61 0 61 104 0 104 8 State F.M. 9 9 0 15 15 0 9* State Park Roads 8 8 0 14 0 14 10* Rehab of Signs &Signals 32 0 32 55 0 55 11 State Funded Discretionary 21 21 0 36 36 0 12· Commission Strategic Prior 139 139 0 236 236 0 13 State Funded Mobility 361 361 0 614 614 0 14 State Rehabilitation 23 0 23 39 0 39 15 Federal Demonstration 0 0 0 0 0 0 16· Miscellaneous 29 29 0 49 49 0 17 PASS Metro Match 30 30 0 30 30 0 18 PASS 115 115 0 115 115 0 District 18 Total 2642 1835 807 4388 2995 1393 Source: NCTCOG in consultation with TxDOT -Assumes TxDOT Funding to Remain at Current Levels MOBILITY 2010 UPDATE REVENUE FORECAST Available Funding ($ millions) Current Funding Moderate Mode/Scenario Levels Growth Roadway District 2 Capacity $1,336 $2,567 District 18 Capacity $2,995 $3,977 Capacity Subtotal $4,331 $6,544 Transit Section 3 $ 794 $1,802 Section 9 $ 334 $ 480 Capacity Subtotal $1,128 $2,282 Capacity Total $5,459 $8,826 '. MOBIUTY 2010 UPDATE REVENUE FORECAST AVAILABLE FUNDING ($ millions) I Mode \ Scenario I Current Funding Moderate Levels* Growth** Roadway District 2 Capacity $1,336 $2,567 Safety, Maintenance Ie Other $900 $1,712 District 18 Capacity $2,995 $3,977 Safety, Maintenance Ie Other $1,393 $1,871 Capacity Subtotal $4,331 $6,544 Transit Section 3 $794 $1,802 Section 9 $334 $480 Capacity Subtotal $1,128 $2,282 Capacity Total I $5,459 I $8,826 I Assumptions ** Moderate Growth Scenario Gas Tax (cents/calion) (Mure scenarios will assume gas tax increases) Year Total Highway Transit Total Highway Federal Fund Fund State Fund 1994 18.3 10.0 1.5 20 15 1996 18.3 12.0 2.0 20 15 2010 18.3 12.0 2.0 20 15 o Texas averages a 94% return on federal gas tax Growth o 1% annual increase in gasoline sales o 2% annual increase in vehicle registrations o General Fund support fo! federal mass transportation continues at current level ($) Revenue Distribution o TxDOT District 2 maintains a 9% share of TxDOT funding o TxDOT District 18 maintains a 16% share of TxDOT funding o Current proportions of construction and maintenance expenditures are maintained o Current proportions of FTA Section 9 is maintained and Section 3 proportion is doubled due to aggressive regional effort Inflation o Inflation effects will be added in future scenarios Assumptions * Status Quo Scenario Gas Tax o No real increase in revenue due to gas tax increase o Texas averages a 94% return on federal gas tax Growth o No real growth is assumed o Funding levels remain essentialy the same as today Revenue Distribution o TxDOT District 2 maintains a 9% share of TxDOT funding o TxDOT District 18 maintains a 16% share of TxDOT funding o Current proportions of construction and maintenance expenditures are maintained o Current proportions of FTA Sections 3 and 9 are maintained Inflation o Inflation effects will be added in future scenarios SUMMARY OF HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE AND RAIL WARRANTS Freeway Rehabilitation Costs1 $15.6 MlCenter Line Mile Freeway (at arade) $2.5 M/Lane Mile Freeway (elevated) $3.5 MlLane Mile HOV Lane (at grade) $5.0 M/Lane Mile HOV Lane (elevated) $7.0 M/Lane Mile ROW $1.56 MlLane Mile 1 $2.6 MlLane Mile x 6-Lane Facility = $15.6 M/Center Line Mile Ratio of HOV Costs/Freeway Costs = 1.0 General HOV Warrant: 1,900 Persons per Lane x 1.14 AO =2,166 x 1.0 =2,200 Persons/Peak Hour/Peak Direction Freeway Costs with Rehabilitation $23.72 M Commuter Rail $ 5.0 M (Ratio 0.2) Lower Cost Light Rail $15.0 M (Ratio 0.6) Light Rail Extension $25.0 M (Ratio 1.1) General Rail Warrant (2,200 x Ratio): Commuter Rail 2,750 Weekday; 440 Peak Hour/Peak Direction Lower Cost Light Rail 8,250 Weekday; 1,320 Peak Hour/Peak Direction Light Rail Extension 15,125 Weekday; 2,420 Peak Hour/Peak Direction MOBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE AVERAGE RAIL LINK VOLUMES BY SEGMENT SEGMENT RAIL SEGMENT DESCRIPTION LIGHT RAIL LIGHT RAIL COMMUTER RAIL COMMUTER RAIL NUMBER MODE LINE FROM TO DAILY l'lIDERS PKHRRIDERS DAILY RIDERS PKHRRIDERS COMMENTS 1 Light Rail Starter CBD Transit Mall Houston Ross 45,000 7,515 N/A N/A Committed Light Rail 2 Light Rail Starter SouthlWest Oak Cliff Houston Clarendon (Split) 33,200 5,544 N/A N/A Committed Light Rail 3 Light Rail Starter West Oak Cliff Clarendon (Split) Tyler St. 13,800 2,305 N/A N/A Committed Light Rail 4 Light Rail Starter West Oak Cliff Tyler St. Illinois Ave. 7,700 1,286 N/A N/A Committed Light Rail 5 Light Rail Starter South Oak Cliff Clarendon (Split) Kiest Blvd. 11,300 1,887 N/A N/A Committed Light Rail 6 Light Rail Starter South Oak Cliff Kiest Blvd. Loop 12 5,500 919 N/A N/A Committed Light Rail 7 Light Rail Starter North Central Ross Mockingbird 41,900 6,997 N/A· N/A Committed Light Rail 8 Light Rail Starter North Central Mockingbird Park Lane 32,500 5,428 N/A N/A Committed Light Rail 9 Light Rail Ext. South Oak Cliff Loop 12 Camp Wisdom 200 33 N/A N/A Light Rail Local Funds 10 Light Rail Ext. Pleasant Grove Ross (Transit Mall) Dolphin Rd. 8,600 1,436 N/A N/A Initia' I ight Rail 􀀮􀁳􀀫􀁾􀁣􀁲􀀧􀁤 Le L tv 11 Light Rail Ext. Pleesant Grove Dolphin Rd. Elam Rd. 4,300 718 N/A N/A Staged Low Cost Light Rail 12 Comm./Lrt. Ext. Garland Mockingbird Lane IH 635 8,000 1,336 2,500 400 Staged Low Cost Light Rail/Commuter Rail 13 Comm./Lrt. Ext. Garland IH635 Walnut St. 4,300 718 2,300 368 Staged Low Cost Light Rail/Commuter Rail 14 Light Rail Ext. North Central Park lane IH635 26,100 4,359 N/A N/A Light Rail/Staged Low Cost Light Rail 15 Light Rail Ext. North Central IH 635 Ir1le1'tlrbIm St. f\ r 􀁾􀁾􀀿 􀁾 16,700 2,789 N/A N/A Light Rail/Staged Low Cost Light Rail 16 Light Rail Ext. North Central Interurban St. FM 544 9,200 1,536 N/A N/A Light Rail/Staged Low Cost Light Rail 􀁾􀁗􀀮􀀬􀀮􀀬􀂷 17 Commuter Rail Cottonbelt FM544 (Plano) Dallas North Tollway N/A N/A 2,900 464 Commuter Rail 18 Commuter Rail Cottonbelt Dallas North Tollway IH 35 E N/A N/A 2,400 384 Commuter Rail 19 Commuter Rail Cottonbelt IH 35 E D/FW Airport N/A N/A 500 80 Future Commuter Rail EX1ension 20 Comm./Lrt. EX1. Stemmons Union Station Love Field 10,000 1,670 6,300 1,008 Staged Low Cost Light Rail/Commuter Rail 21 Comm./Lrt. Ext. Stemmons (Las Colinas) Walnut Hill O'Connor Blvd. 2,900 484 2,700 432 Staged Low Cost Light Rail/Commuter Rail 22 Comm./Lrt. EX1. Stemmons Love Field IH635 4,700 785 4,400 704 Staged Low Cost Light Rail/Commuter Rail 23 Comm./Lrt. Ext. Stemmons IH635 Dickerson Blvd./SH190 3,000 501 4,000 640 Staged Low Cost Light Rall/Commuter Rail 24 Commuter Rail Railtran Fort Worth CBD Centreport Station N/A N/A 4,000 640 Commuter Rail 25 Commuter Rail Railtran Centerport Station S. Irving Station N/A N/A 6,700 1,072 Commuter Rail 26 Commuter Rail Railtran S. Irving Station DallasCBD N/A N/A 7,100 1,136 Commuter Rail 27 Commuter Rail Railtran Centerport Station D/FW Airport N/A N/A 1,000 160 Future Commuter Commuter Rail EX1enslon Source: NCTCOG 9/17/93 TOLL ROAD ANALYSIS * FRTG VOLUME PERCENT LANES TOTAL REVENUE I LIMITS (YIN) (1000'S) VOLUME COST ANNUAL COST RETAINED (1) (2) FREE $0.08 $0.12 (MIL) $0.08 $0.12 WEST FORK TRINITY IH820 -SH360 N 88 68 55 n% 4 $161 1.53 1.87 SH360 -SH161 N n 60 49 780/0 4 $74 1.36 1.66 SH161 -lP12 N 89 70 56 80% 4 $131 1.60 1.80 lP12 -TRNTY PKY N 57 45 39 79% 4 $134 1.02 1.30 TRINITY PARKWAY IH35E -W. FORK N 143 74 55 51% 10 $10 0.66 0.75 W. FORK -IH30 N 167 97 75 58% 10 $60 0.92 1.08 IH30 -SANTE FE N 163 114 94 70% 8 $21 1.30 1.58 SANTE FE -US75 N 96 64 49 67% 6 $42 0.97 1.10 SA 190<····· .... IH35E-DNT YIN 97 54 38 56% 6 $111 0.82 0.85 DNT-US75 YIN 97 54 35 46% 6 $180 0.81 0.79 US75 -SH78 Y 70 32 22 46% 6 $102 0.48 0.49 SH78 -IH30 N 50 32 28 63% 4 $180 0.72 0.95 􀁎􀁾􀀮􀂷􀂷􀁔􀁁􀁒􀁐􀁋􀁗􀁙 IH35W -US377 N 25 15 9 60% 4 $50 0.34 0.29 SA 121 .... INT.PKY-FM2281 Y 64 40 28 62% 4 $99 0.89 0.95 FM2281 -US75 Y 39 21 16 56% 4 $228 0.50 0.56 SH121. (S.W.FRWY) IH35W-IH30 N 90 69 59 74% 8 $60 0.82 1.05 IH30-IH20 YIN 84 49 43 66% 6 $56 0.73 1.10 IH20 -S.S. RD YIN 40 29 24 64% 4 $38 0.65 0.81 8.S. RD-FM1187 YIN 13 7 4 53% 4 $75 0.16 0.14 SH 161 BElTLlNE -IH635 Y 173 145 129 84% 10 $34 1.31 1.75 IH635 -IH35E N 112 69 54 62% 6 $74 1.04 1.20 SH183 -IH30 Y 133 88 65 66% 8 $111 1.04 1.15 IH30-IH20 Y 68 34 26 49% 4 $69 0.75 0.86 SANTE FE BYPASS :: . . ... IH35E -IH30 N 54 40 30 55% 4 $15 0.90 1.01 S.LOOP9 .. ........ IH35W -US287 N 15 9 6 58% 4 $383 0.20 0.19 US287-US67 N 27 19 14 71% 4 $530 0.43 0.48 US67 -IH35E N 16 8 5 49% 4 $70 0.18 0.18 􀁅􀁾􀁗􀀧􀁃􀁏􀁎􀁎􀁅􀁃􀁔􀁏􀁒 . .'. . .. SH360 -SH161 N 53 34 28 63% 6 $75 0.51 0.63 1) Based on average cost of $4.00 million per lane mile 2) Annual revenue based on 300 days of operation Costs obtained by assuming 6% discount rate for 40 years • Existing plus committed network -1993 TIP20 Source: NCTCOG, 1993 \D 􀁾 iamI CIIIYMl􀁾􀁺􀁩􀀱􀁉􀁏􀁾 􀁾􀀮 _A __ MOBILITY TOLL 2010 ROAD PLAN UPDATE ANALYSIS LEGEND -NEW I'II&VMft XIXJX VOLUMe AM" 􀀱􀁾􀀱 MOBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE Congestion Management Planning Strategies Begin Comprehensive Congestion Management Data Collection System Develop Regional Congestion Management Plan/System Conduct Rall/HOV AA Studies at Regular Intervals Conduct Freeway and Design Studies Integrated with AA Process ---MOBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE Congestion Management Implementation Strategies Implementation through the Transportation Improvement Program Establishment of Transportation Management Associations Expansion of Traffic Management Teams Voluntary Employer/Employee Programs Implementation of Policies and Programs Through TxDOT, Transit Authorities and Local Governments MPO Coordination of Programs Sub-Area Focus Planning and Implementation " r M.OBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE Performance Evaluation Congestion Management Percent Performance Measure Base System System Change* Vehicle Mlle. of Travel 121.56 million 119.99 million . -1.29% Vehicle Hours of Travel 5.00 million 4.80 million -4.00% Average Loaded Speed 25.74 mph 26.23 mph, +1.90% Veh Hrs of Traffic Control Delay 0.34 million 0.25 million -26.82% Veh Hrs of Congestion Delay 2.13 million 2.02 million -5.16 % Total Veh Hrs of Delay 2.47 million 2.27 million -8.10% * Total Annual Benefits =$464 million Benefit/Cost =8 MOBILITY 2010 PLAN UPDATE Annual Congestion Annual Congestion Management 􀁓􀁴􀁲􀁡􀁴􀁥􀁧􀁾 Benefits Costs Traffic Signal Improvements $187 million $3.3 million Intersection Improvements $365 million $7.5 million Freeway Incident Detection/Response -􀁾 Surveillance and Response $ 50 million $11 million Motorist Assistance Program $ 200 million $12 million Employer Trip Reduction Program $ 97 million $ 1 million Vanpool Program $ 33 million $4.3 million Park·N·Rlde Facilities $ 22 million $ 3 million TOTAL $954 million $42.1 million RECEIVED MAY I 2 1994 Mayor's Meeting DART Update April 22, 1994 CITY MANAGER Attendance City Mayor City Manager Addison Rich Beckert, Mayor Ron Whitehead, City Manager Carrollton Milburn Gravely, Mayor Dan Johnson, City Manager Cockrell Hill Tony Hinojosa, Mayor Charles Slayton and Richard Perez, Councilmembers Farmers Branch Calla Davis, Mayor Pro Tern Richard Escalante, City Manager Garland Bob Smith, Mayor JeffMuzzy, ACM Highland Park Bob Wilbur, Mayor Pro Tern George Patterson, City Manager Irving Morris Parrish, Councilmember Steve McCullough, City Manager Plano James Muns, Mayor Tom Muehlenbeck, City Manager James McCarley, ACM Richardson Gary Slagel, Mayor Jerry Hiebert, ACM Rowlett Mike McCallum, Mayor Mike Gibson, City Manager University Park Barbara Hitzelberger, Mayor Bob Livingston, City Manager The meeting began at 10:30 a.m. with Mayor Slagel stating that the purpose was to have a general discussion about the present status and impressions ofDART. Mayor Slagel offered a positive review ofthe meeting that had occurred between Roger Snoble and the Richardson Council. He suggested that the meeting should focus on the upcoming DART Service Plan revisions, the status oftransportation planning throughout the region and a review ofhow DART could best playa role in the near term. Overall, the discussion was very positive regarding DART's performance over the past 12 months. The following is an account ofthose discussions and a summary ofthe actions from the meeting. General Feedback Mayor Muns indicated that with the revised Service Plan in the works, DART needs to make something happen in the next two years or it would be difficult to forestall a pull-out election in Plano. He also stated that Plano had asked DART for information about Mayors Meeting on DART 5/6/94 page 2 pulling out ofDART. They had been told that it would cost Plano $51 million. Plano questions the validity ofthose numbers, but in any event it would take 2 years for Plano to withdraw. James McCarley indicated that DART should consider extending funding of the LAP program. Tom Muehlenbeck indicated that it may be wise for suburbs to have a "back-up plan" for providing transportation services should there be a rash ofwithdrawal elections in 1996. Dan Johnson indicated that at the recent DRMC meeting Snoble was asked about the New Vision Plan and commuter rail issues. Snoble's responses did not seem to indicate that they are looking at a financially constrained plan, as does the New Vision Plan. It is hard to determine whether financial problems are the fault ofDART, Dallas or both. He indicated that the new Board seemed to be doing a better job. Richard Escalante indicated that they had a good meeting with Snoble, but that he doesn't seem to be a proponent for low cost rail extension, such as the single track method. Farmers Branch feels that immediate service of some type is very important. Councilmember Morris Parrish indicated that Irving is moderately pleased with progress on their commuter rail, although service will take 18 months to begin after the agreements are signed, and they are not yet signed. Mayor Smith indicated that Garland had a positive meeting with Roger Snoble, but that Snoble indicated that Dallas is "ready to go it alone" if suburbs withdraw from DART. A brief discussion ofDART's fare box recovery proposals followed. It was the general consensus that this is an operational issue and should be resolved by DART management and board and not suburban action. There was also a discussion about the new Board configuration and the appointment process ofrepresentatives by cities who shared representatives. The consensus was that the present process is working well, so long as a regional perspective is maintained. There was the feeling that the DART LAP funds have done a great deal ofgood for the region and should be better publicized by DART. Mobility 2010 Plan Mayor Slagel reviewed in some detail the NCTCOG 2010 Mobility Plan, and its provisions for rail, HOV and highway extensions. The consensus ofthe group was that any revised DART Service Plan should closely resemble the NCTCOG Plan. There was positive discussion regarding the potential ofthe Cotton Belt both providing service to the airports as well as linking the major employment centers. Both Mayors Muns and Slagel stated that their cities look favorably on stopping the Central light rail line at LBJ in favor of using the available dollars to develop that commuter rail corridor. Bus Service A poll was taken regarding the impact and importance ofcurrent bus service. It was felt that DART bus service is an important element in addressing our current and future air quality issues. All felt that bus service is important to both their residential citizens and corporate citizens as an effective method ofimporting ofimporting and exporting workers. All cities Mayors Meeting on DART 5/6/94 page 3 have developed a dependence on the express service. In most cases, the use ofthe bus system for internal service was felt to be marginal. The consensus of the group was that DART should do a better job of matching equipment and routes with actual need. It was felt that the public still takes issue with DART's bus service primarily due to the 50 passenger busses carrying 4 or 5 riders Conclusions and Actions In conclusion, the members agreed that the following issues were ofutmost importance and should be addressed; • Mayors should have the opportunity to review the DART staff concepts for the revised System Plan before it is presented to and approved by the DART Board. Once made public, it w1.l1be more difficult to make changes than if there is input to a Draft Plan. Mayor Slagel will pursue setting such a meeting. . . . • All cities will communicate to their DART representatives their desires to have the revised DART service plan conform to the 2010 COG plan. Mayor Slagel had COG deliver information about the 2010 COG Mobility Plan to each ofthe Mayors for their discussions. Each city will pursue this separately. • All cities will communicate to their DART representatives the need to provide visible service progress by 1996, an issue which is crucial to DART's continued viability. Suburban cities will also make it very clear that they are willing to trade high cost services at some distant time in the future for lower cost solutions in the next couple of years. Each city will pursue this separately. • A request would be made to DART for a review oftheir financial staffs projections for Dallas supporting DART without funding from the suburbs. Mayor Slagel will make the request. • A request would be made to DART to review their analysis ofthe legal and financial implications to each member city in the event of a 1996 withdrawal. Mayor Slagel will make the request. • A "what if' review would be conducted to determine how bus service could be provided to any suburb that may be be faced with a 1996 withdrawal. City Manager Muehlenbeck will lead the review effort. The meeting adjourned at Noon. job 516/94 n:mmyrdart Dallas Area Rapid Transit P.O. Box 660163 Dallas. Texas 75266·0163 214/149·3278 RECEIVED SEP -9 1994 CITY MANAGER 􀀡􀀭􀀭􀁾􀀭􀀧􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁾􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀻 September 8, 1994 Honorable Rich Beckert Mayor Town of Addison P.O. Box 144 Addison, TX 75001 FAX #960·7684 Dear Mayor Beckert: On Tuesday, September 6, 1994, we faxed a copy of a staff analysis on the financial impact on a member citY that elects to withdraw from DART. The Board discussed this analysis on Tuesday and intends to continue discussions on September 13, 1994. We will forward a final copy of this analysis to you after the Board completes it's review. Sincer y, 􀁾􀁡􀁤􀁹􀁣􀁬􀁾 Kathy Ingle Chair KI:stg c: Ron Whitehead, City Manager Board of Directors Roger Snoble /'to'd e-89L0966 01 III•••• _ ' , --, F4X Transmission RECEIVED DART Pages: 19 (including this one) September 6, 1994 1:59 PM Front Kathy Ingle SEP -61994 Questions? Call 749-3347 Fax 749-3651 , 214/960-7684 To: Mayor Rich Beckert/City Manager, 􀁾􀁯􀁮 rfuitehead 􀁾􀁾􀁃􀁾􀀧􀁾􀁔􀁾􀁙􀁾􀁍􀁾􀁁􀁾􀁎􀁾􀁁􀁾􀁇􀁾􀁅􀁾􀁒􀁾􀁾 Company: Town: of Addison Address: Date: Time: '. Message: "-Attached is a copy of a paper prepared by DARt staff in response to your request regarding the withdrawal of member ::::o:n 􀀺􀁾􀀻􀁾􀁪􀁴􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀺􀁾􀁾􀂷􀁾􀂷􀀺 􀀮􀀺􀁾􀀺􀁾 􀀮􀀻􀁾􀀺 􀁾􀀻􀀧..:.:.: :.:....􀀺􀀺􀁾􀀻􀀺􀀮􀀻􀀮􀀺􀀺 􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁾􀀮􀀺 Garland 68.208 8.071 (19.424) 56,855 􀁬􀁭􀁡􀁨􀁦􀁩􀀡􀁾􀁴􀁉􀁾􀀢􀁍 69.350 7.694 (10,406) 66,638 􀀼􀀻􀀧􀀺􀀧􀀾􀂷􀀡􀁩􀀻􀂷􀂷􀁾􀁾􀀤􀁲 GleMHeights 1.723 529 (350) 1,901 aWnH!iis.:4;i 1.752 496 (187) 1,061 􀂷􀀺􀂷􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀮􀁩􀀢􀀼􀀲􀁩􀁾􀀵􀀧􀀼 ...,.:,.:.;--,..r-,.. '": ;: . Highland Park 3.300 0 (1.231) 2,069 􀁮􀂷􀀻􀁭􀁪􀁈􀁲􀁭􀁬􀁾􀁾􀁈 3,355 0 (659) 1,696 􀀼􀁌􀀮􀀺􀂷􀁜􀀺􀂷􀀻􀀲􀁾􀁬􀁌 Irving 58,537 6.669 (22.63S) 42,571 mHlhH-i\:£?t; 59.517 6,460 (12,126) 53,851 􀂷􀁾􀀻􀀧􀀻􀂷􀀻􀁾􀁾􀁮􀀻􀀻􀀱􀁾􀀹􀁩􀂷 Plano 48.598 5.771 (18.275) 36,094 􀁈􀁈􀁗􀁬􀀡􀁈􀁴􀁩􀁾􀁾􀁨 49.412 5.433 (9,190) 45,055 .y:::<:·j.S> Richardson 28.257 5.227 (12.202) 21,182 mm;\HH'tl:; 28.730 5,000 (6,537) 21,193·:··: 􀀧􀀮􀂷􀁬􀁾􀀧􀀻 Rowlett 8.782 0 (2.099) 6,683 􀀻􀀮􀁪􀁗􀁕􀀻􀁪􀁈􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁴􀀺 8.929 0 (1.124) 7,80S, ,:. ,. .6.2!· University Park 8.404 0 (2.555) 5,849 􀁮􀁭􀁭􀁾􀁗􀁾􀀻􀁾􀁉􀀻 8.545 0 (1,369) 7,176 :'·;:,:;",3.6· SubtoW l:I􀁾􀁴􀁈􀁪􀀺􀁪􀁈􀀱􀁾􀀲􀀷􀀰􀀻􀀱􀀵􀀧􀀸􀁈􀁅􀀻􀀡􀁓􀀲􀁴􀀿􀁾􀀺 i 􀀢􀀬􀁾􀀨i'dO:S99)'i􀀺􀀤􀁩􀀧􀀸􀀧􀁾􀁾􀀺􀁩􀁈 􀁭􀁭􀁭􀁈􀁗􀁪􀁩􀁾􀀱􀀱􀀡􀁾􀀱􀀤􀀲􀀻􀀱􀁾􀁾􀀲􀀹􀀻􀀲􀁮 􀁭􀂷􀁾􀀲􀁾􀀮􀀲􀁾􀀩􀀺 ',)$($3;89i) 􀁩􀁴􀀤􀀱􀀵􀀰􀁾􀀶􀀲􀀴􀀧􀀻􀀮􀀺 ;H;":" [1;􀁄􀁪􀁡􀁾 ;: Dallas 380.164 n1a (147.572) ufa 􀁡􀁕􀁭􀁧􀁈􀀻􀀣􀁾􀁈 386.530 nla (79,059) n1a 􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀁪􀁾􀀱􀀺􀀺􀀻􀂷􀁾􀁧􀁄􀀯􀁉􀀨􀀺 􀁔􀁯􀁴􀁡􀁆􀀻􀁩􀀺􀀮􀁙􀀻􀁾􀂷􀁭􀁭􀁈􀁩 a$6S.􀁡􀁾􀀻􀁾􀁾􀁪􀁜􀀺􀁾􀁈􀁭􀁈􀁈􀀻􀀺􀀺􀁑􀁉􀁾􀁲 􀁴􀀤􀁻􀀲􀀴􀁾􀁾􀁜􀀨􀀷􀁉􀀩􀁜 􀁴􀁭􀁈􀁭􀀡􀁾􀀯􀁾􀁈 􀁾􀁈􀁈􀁕􀁈􀁈􀁗􀁾􀁾􀀡􀁭􀁾􀁊􀀻􀀣􀀮􀁾􀁲􀀮􀀡 􀁭􀁈􀁈􀂷􀀯􀁩􀀺􀁩􀁊􀀯􀀮􀁾􀁕􀀻􀀤􀁻􀀱􀀳􀁩􀀻􀁑􀁳􀂷􀁦􀀩 􀁮􀁮􀀻􀁭􀀻􀁾􀁴􀁴􀁴􀁩􀁾􀁮 􀁧􀀻􀁭􀁴􀀻􀁾􀁆􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁩 Note 1-General obligations are based on total DART general obligations times the population percentage shown in Attachment J. Note 2 • Specific obligatiolls are based on information in Attachment 4. Note 3 • Asset sh.aJe is based on total unencumbered assets times average of population and sales tax percentage (see Attachment 3). Note 4 ·ncse projections are DART sta1rs estimates based on information available today. The actual general obligations and unencumbeJ'ed 8.S$CtS in 1996 witt vaJ)' depending on actual contract commitments. debt outstanding, and contingent liabilities at the lime ofa wichdl3wal election. In addition, the DART Board ofDiftdors will have to make many policy decisions in order to ascertain a member city's finanCial obligation, ifthat city elects to withdraw from DART Tentattve and PreUmlnary For DiscussIon Purposes Only Note 1 Note 2 Note 3 Tentative and Preliminary For Discussion Purposes Only Attachment #3 Percentage of Population and Sales Taxes .By Member City 􀀺􀁩􀁾􀀦􀁾􀁬􀁬􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁉􀁾􀂷􀁾􀀺􀁦􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀺􀀺􀀺􀁾 􀁾􀁾􀁬􀁾􀁬􀁾􀁳􀀮􀁉􀀡􀀱􀀰􀀮􀁾􀁩􀁾􀀺􀁩􀁧􀁦 Addison 0.51% 2.58% 1.55% Buckingham 0.01% 0.04% 0.03% Carrollton 4.77% 4.21% 4.49% Cockrell Hill 0.22% 0.04% 0.13% Dallas 58,400.10 60.52% 59.46% Farmers Branch 1.40% 3.81% 2.61% Garland 10.48% 5.18% 7.83% GleM Heights 0.26% 0.02% 0.14% Highland Park 0.51% 0.49% 0.50% Irving 8.99% 9.25% 9.12% Plano 7,470./0 7.26% 7.37% Richardson 4.34% 5.49% 4.9Z% Rowlett 1.35% 0.34% 0.85% University Park 1.29% 0.77% 1.03% 􀀡􀁦􀀹􀁾􀂧􀁉􀁦􀀮􀁅􀀲􀂧􀀺􀀵􀀴􀂧􀁾􀁧􀀻􀁾􀂷􀀡􀀻􀁉􀁦 􀀻􀁾􀀱􀀹􀀹􀁾􀁾􀁩􀁪􀁯􀀮􀁾􀀻􀁾 􀀺􀁈􀁊􀁩􀁪􀀹􀀺􀀹􀀹􀀬􀁾􀁾 􀁾􀀿􀀻􀁦􀁾􀀺􀁊􀂧􀁾 􀀻􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁬􀁾􀀺 Population percentages based on 1990 Census Data. DART's general liability is distributed to member cities based on population. Sales tax percentages are based on actual member city collections from 1984 through 1994 as reported to DART by the State Comptrollers Office. DARTs unencumbered assets are allocated to member cities based on the average ofpopulation and sales taxes. September 6. 1994 Tentative and Preflmlnary For Discussion Purposes Only Tentative and Preliminary For Discussion Purposes Only Addison Addison Transit Center $0 so $6,018 $2,422 Carrollton Carrollton Transit Center 1.635 6.563 1,499 Farmers Branch Farmers Branch Park & Ride ° o 500 220 496 5,522 938 1,555 3.970 1,726 3,707 5,000 1.468 3,553 6,145 8,066 2,614 8.725 1,221 7.281 529 5,227 5.646 1.023 1,883 3.888 8,066 2.674 1,468 8.725 1.221 7,281 Richardson Richardson Transit Center Plano Plano Transit Center East Plano Transit Center Tentative and Preliminary For Discussion Purposes Only Glenn Heights Glenn Heights Transit Center Irving North Irving Transit Center South Irving Transit Center Garland Central Garland Transit Center 3,553 1.696 South Garland Transit Center 6.145 4.105 Lake Ray Hubbard Trans. Cu. (WIP) 3.577 2,270 3,571 2,169 􀀮􀁾􀀻 ::; 􀀺􀀭􀀺􀀻􀀺􀀻􀀧􀀺􀀻􀀺􀀢􀀼􀁉􀀢􀀧􀁾􀀧􀀺􀀧􀀻􀀧􀁾􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁾􀀻 :;::"'; 􀁾􀀺􀀺􀀺 􀀺􀁾􀀺 􀁾􀀺􀁯􀀺􀀮􀁣􀁾􀀮􀀻􀀻 􀀺􀀻􀀻􀀻􀀻􀀻􀀻􀀻􀀬􀀺􀀻􀀮􀁾􀀻􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀻􀀮􀀻􀀻􀁾􀀻􀀮􀀻 􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀻􀀮􀀮􀀻􀀻􀀮􀀺􀀻􀀬􀀬􀀺􀀻􀀮􀀬􀀺􀀻􀀬􀀻􀁾􀀾􀀺􀀺􀀧􀁁􀁾􀀮􀀺􀀻􀀺􀀺 􀁾􀁾􀀺􀀺􀀧􀀻􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀼􀀺􀀢􀀢􀀢􀀺􀀢􀀢 􀀻􀀺􀀮􀀻􀁾􀀺􀁾􀀻􀁾􀀺􀀺􀀺􀁾􀂥􀁾..􀁾􀀺􀀺􀀢􀀢􀀧􀀧􀀧􀀧􀀺􀀧􀁾􀁾􀀧􀁾􀀺􀀭􀁃••􀀺􀁾􀀺􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀡􀀺􀀧􀀮􀀻� �􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀺􀀺􀁾􀀺􀀧􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀬􀀮􀀮􀁾 􀀮􀀢􀀻􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀧􀀺􀀺􀀻􀀺􀀺􀁾􀀧􀀺􀀺􀀬􀀺􀁾􀁾􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀬􀁚􀀢􀁾􀀺􀀮􀁾􀀧 ..􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀻􀀮􀀻􀀻􀀮􀀻􀀺􀁾􀀺􀁾􀀻􀀻 ...􀀺􀁾􀀺􀀮􀀬 􀁾􀁾􀀺􀁾􀀺􀀺􀁾􀁾􀀮􀀺 􀀺􀀺􀀷􀁾􀀧􀀺􀀧 .·.G.·.·..􀀺􀁡􀀺􀀮􀀧􀀮􀂷􀀮􀂷􀁾.􀀮.􀁾•􀀺􀁾􀀺􀂷􀀮􀀧􀀮􀂷􀁾􀀮􀁄􀂷􀀮􀂷􀀮•􀂷􀀮.􀁁􀁡􀀮􀂷􀁾.􀀮.􀀧􀁾􀀮􀀬􀀺.!...T..·..􀀻􀀮'􀁯􀂷􀀮􀂷􀀮􀀧􀀮􀂷􀀮􀁾􀀬􀀮.􀂷􀁾·􀁎.·.I·.:..􀀺􀀮􀁾􀀮􀁟􀀮􀁟􀁾􀀮􀁾 ..􀀺􀁾􀀮􀁾􀀺􀀬􀁾..􀀺􀀮􀁾 .... 􀁶􀀮􀀬􀀢􀀢􀀮􀀺􀀬􀀮􀀺􀁾􀁾.􀀦.􀀺􀀮􀁾􀁅􀀺􀀭.􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀁾􀀬􀀮..􀀬􀀺􀁾.􀀬􀀮􀁾􀀮􀀡􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮.􀀺􀁟􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀬􀁾􀀮􀁾􀀻􀀺􀀬..􀁾..􀁲􀀺.􀁁􀁉􀀮􀀬􀀧􀀮􀀺􀁾􀀮􀀺􀀬􀁾􀀮􀀺􀀻􀀾􀁾􀀻􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀺.􀁾;.:.:•...'􀀻􀀺􀀮􀀡􀁾􀀮􀀺� �􀀺􀀮􀀺...􀀮􀁾􀀺􀀮􀀧􀀺􀁾􀀮􀀺􀁾􀀺􀀮 􀂷􀂷􀁾􀂷􀁾...􀂷􀂷􀁓􀀱􀀳􀂷􀁾􀀷􀁓 ..··...:-...:·...·...::..􀂷􀂷􀁾􀀮􀀺 􀀢􀀧􀀷􀁴􀂷􀁾􀂷.......􀀺􀁾􀂷...··S13..􀁾􀀷􀀵 ..􀀭􀀻􀀮􀀺􀀢􀀺􀀧􀀻􀀺􀀺􀀺􀂷􀀺􀂷􀀺􀀻􀀮􀀺􀀧􀀬􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀬􀀺 􀁾 La;";", 􀁾 􀁾􀁾􀀮􀁾􀁾 .. 􀁾􀀮􀁾􀀮􀁌.. 􀁾􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀭􀀭 􀁾 􀀭􀁲􀁲􀁾􀀮􀁾􀂷􀁾􀀺􀀻􀀧􀀧􀀧􀀧􀀧􀀧􀀺􀀧􀀧􀀢􀀢􀀧􀀺􀀮􀁾􀀧􀀧􀀧 􀁾􀁾 .. 􀁾􀀮 􀁾 .. 􀁾 􀀺􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾 : 􀁾􀀺 􀁾􀀺􀀺􀁾􀀺􀁾􀀺􀁾􀁾􀀮􀁾􀁾 :.,:• •􀀻􀁧􀁾􀁩􀁾􀀺􀀺..""'.:"' 􀁾 .. 􀁾􀁾􀁾..􀁾..;..􀁾􀀺􀀻􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀺􀁾􀀺􀁾 ..􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀺􀀧􀀡􀀮􀀺􀀺 Note: There are DO captial c:osts for 􀁂􀁵􀁥􀁾􀁮􀁧􀁨􀁡􀁭􀀬 Cockrell Hill. f{jghland Park. Rowlett, Of University Park. r\ r,:· ,: ; 1: :1 􀁾􀀧 􀁾 t i(: "􀁾 I 1.' d n􀁾􀀺 :! " 􀁾 1 it: ;.4, If ;! 􀁾 :!'I I, :i I: I '1 'iIi Dallas Area RapidTransit· .... -----.. , Sales Tax Collections & Forecasts (in oao'sJ Attachment 5 FiSCAl DART COCKRELL FM..EAS flOWER GlENN HIGtV.ND UNIVERSIlY :lEAB. .mra. AOlJ.ISOtf BUCKINGHAM CARROLLTON 􀁾 00ffiU. D&.l.AS. IIBANQJ IdOI..Ul CA8LAND ilfWttlS. ..PllBK lfMNG. fLAHQ R!CtWiOSOtt BOt11.EIl 􀁾 19&C 593.889 $2.14$ so $3.241 $46 51'57 $61.243 $3,526 S$4 $5.587 $1011 S454 $8.720 Sot.032 SoC,95lI 5213 sao, 1965 5154.0UJ $3.640 SID 55.290 $7' $25f $101,033 $5.1168 5119 $7.832 $19 S656 511.902 58.117 . $8.2lloC $511 $1.17' 1986 $158,623 $3.39:S till 55.830 $77 $33) 􀁾􀀸􀀵􀀭􀀴 $9.378 $112 $8,218 126 $833 512.561 59.074 $8.250 􀁾 $\,052 1987 $145.815 $3.26' 5' 55.632 Wf 5283 $93.41>1 15.826 $209 W.853 $24 $655 $13.083 $9.501 '1.506 SoC18 $t.09' 1988 51M.SotI SoC.01& S3 58.493 $71 S358 51cn..280 $6.265 5246 $8.S85 127 5871 $14.299 511.361 58.704 $547 $1.409 t989 $181.288 $5.'31 $19 tl,43oC SIll $462 5110,496 58,974 1201 $9.599 S3Q 1&31 516.678 􀁓􀁉􀀲􀀮􀀲􀀲􀁾 SS.ll6O S'62 $1.507 1990 $194.13' $5.776 $127 127 18.258 $88 till $117.192 $7.248 10 $9.863 So» SS48 518.74e $13.681 510.5'4 s< $1.!\046 1991 5191.494 $5.304 S221 $8.528 $63. $0 5116.898 $7.018 1IO $10••19 S40 S933 Sl9.9lI5 Sl6.171 $l1.947 S6IS7 11.59' 1992 S'101.685 15.382 1119 19.254 $52 50 1116.611 51.175 so $10.239 S40 $943 $20.2e8 $16,753 $12."'2 flOl 51.493 1993 $11"417 SG.36S 51n 511.066 $52 till 5124.819 SI.301 so 110.90l $41 $1. \11 $12.085 S20.047 $12.00 $867 SUl74 1994" '""553 $3.)54 591 $6.041 127 so $66.258 SOC....243 10 1S.66'S $2' S'562 'l3, 180 $11.544 ;213 $5l4 SlS38 TOTAL. ==l1.m:98S S47.2es $819 171.256 .103 $(643 $1.109.4" §iI.•l9 $1.148 S'94.869 $317 suM $168.510 $131106 􀀱􀀱􀁾􀁴􀀱􀀷􀀱 1015 114 "Figut. -llltouoh Maldl 1994 onl)'. 􀁔􀁨􀁾􀁾_ ptepan!d by TteMUry 5-16-94• ............... .􀁾􀀬􀀮 ". , . .... 􀁾 . 􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁽􀁾􀁩􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁭􀁭􀁾􀁧􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀭􀁒􀁴� �􀁦􀁴􀁴􀁾􀀢􀁭􀁭􀀡􀁴􀂧􀁾􀁵􀀺􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾 " 􀁾􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮 • •••• •••􀁾􀀼􀀧 •••••• 􀁬􀀭􀁾.•􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀮􀁦􀀮􀀪􀀭􀁾􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁳􀁊􀁶􀁾􀁮􀁮􀀮􀁾􀁾􀁦􀀮􀀮􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁭􀁡􀀧􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀢􀁦 􀁦􀁩􀁢􀁦􀁾􀁬􀀮􀀮􀁾􀁾􀁦􀂧􀁾􀁾-n. q.t . 􀁩􀁾􀁦􀁾􀀢􀁎􀀧􀀮􀁴􀁸􀁾􀁕􀀢􀀧􀁾􀁾􀁩􀁒􀁴􀀱􀀺􀁬􀀧􀁦􀁴􀀺􀁓􀁩􀁲􀀻􀀻􀀮􀀺􀁬􀁬􀀧􀁾􀀩􀁬􀀮􀁭 􀀡􀀧􀀢􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀺􀁪􀂧 ._..._._-_. -....._...._. Fm-3$4 􀁈􀁩􀁾􀁯􀁲􀁴􀁣 􀀮􀁾 93/94 lJ:!tlII ,. IQllI1 Yo AddlSOft 147.265 2.579% 612.900 2.870% 6uclGlIgllllm 619 o.OC5% $35/i 0.079% carrolfton 77.258 4.215% m.627 5.079% CocMlIIHill 700 0.038% $105 0.023% Tentatrve and PrelJmfnary 081_ 1.'09.4" eQ.524% 5253.984 56.501% FBrmers Btanch 6S,819 3.809% 515,589 3.464% For Discussion Purposes Only Galland 􀀹􀀴􀀮􀁾 $.175% $21.940 4.881"-GIBnn HeWl!. 317 0.01'1% $(12 0.018% H1g'II.nd Pane 8,889 􀁯􀀮􀁾 $2.181 0.487% INlng 189.520 902"''' $47.746 '0.82)% PlIno 133.106 1.'1Cl1% $42.MO 11.464'" Riehltd_ 100.671 $.4$2% $24.149 5.:'!73'\. RowIelI ..275 0.342% $1.887 0.420% 􀁕􀁲􀁴􀁾􀁩􀁬􀁹􀁐􀁡􀁲􀁴􀁣 14.018 0.76ho 􀁾􀀲􀀰􀀱 0.113"-SI.m.m lOO.OOO'JI :.m lCO.OOCri.-􀁾􀁉 $1.843 􀁾Mowld $1.145 TOTA SL&l5.....9M.. 􀀣􀁩􀁩􀀧􀁬􀀼􀀪􀁩􀀱􀀮􀁾􀀱􀁦􀁬􀁾􀁲􀁾􀁾􀁗􀁭􀁩􀀧􀀢􀀺􀁩 􀁍􀁾􀁾􀀺􀁭􀁪􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁊􀁭􀀢􀁴􀁾􀁬􀁾􀀪􀀢􀀬􀀺􀁾􀁾􀁴􀀺􀁬􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁗􀀮􀀮􀁩􀀮􀁩􀀮􀀬􀁬􀀢􀁩􀁩􀁾􀁾􀂻􀀧􀁩􀁴 􀀢􀀢􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀪􀁾􀁴􀀧􀁾􀁾􀀧􀁾􀁾 ..􀁾􀀢􀀮􀁟􀁾􀁓􀁗􀁊􀁾􀀮􀁾􀁬􀀮􀁴􀀮􀁬􀁊􀁬􀁾􀁾􀀻􀁊 ..􀁨􀁾􀁾􀀤􀀮􀁬􀀭􀀮􀁾􀀺􀁬􀁴􀀺􀀬􀁾􀀼􀁴􀁴􀁭􀀮􀀬􀁾 .􀀢. 􀁴􀀮􀀬􀁾􀀮􀁩􀀡􀀮􀁾􀀢􀀮􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁭􀁦􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁬􀁩􀁩􀁩􀁩􀁩􀀯􀀢􀁾􀁩􀀧􀀻􀁩􀁬􀁬􀁬􀀪􀀺􀁕􀀮􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀭􀀪􀀬􀀪􀁾􀁾􀁭 ..􀁾•.􀁾􀀮􀁊􀀧􀀮􀀡􀁴􀀮􀀮􀁾􀀻􀁅􀁾􀀢􀀢􀀧􀀬 􀀪􀁾􀀭􀀻􀁬􀂫􀁬􀁬􀁾􀀧􀁾􀀮􀂷􀀮􀀬􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾􀁾 2.11"" G.Gnl% 5.01"" 0.123% 􀀵􀀸􀀮􀁾 U64% 4.11.1% 0.01'" OMJ'%, 100«23% ••464% 5,373% 0.410% O.71n. SAleS TAX COCKRELL fARMERS GlfNN l-lIGHLAND UNIVERSlIY fORecASI AOOlSQti f!UCKlNGHtW CMROI.lTOO l:1ILL. MI.AS aBlINCH GARLAND HEIGI::IIS.lABK I8WtG aMiO 􀁾RO\IYLEIT 1'1\BK mulOO $6.515 $\18 $U.111 $53 S'29.105 $6.208 S11,03O $-til $1.076 525.681 122.493 $12.108 $1.020 $1.633 231.000 $6.630 $182 $11.132 $54 S130.5JO $6.001 􀀤􀀱􀀱􀀮􀀲􀀷􀁾 $42 $1.124 $24,53ll $21.863 $l2....11 $910 $1.648 237.500 sa.616 $167 $12.062 S55 5134.203 $8.226 SI1.593 SoC3 $1. '56 $25.229 522....18 512,760 $997 $1.694 252.«:0 . 17.256 $tOO 512.839 $59 􀀱􀀱􀀴􀀲􀀮􀁾􀀹 $8.756 $12.3041> S46 S1.230 s:l6.854 mm $13.582 $1.081 $1.804 26'9.!>CO $1,736 S2l3 $13.687 $6'3 $152.265 $9.335 513. '55 $49 $1.312 $26.628 S25,S06 $l4.419 $1.131 $1.923 261.400 $8.246 $227 "4.596 $187 5161.400 $9.955 514.028 S52 $1.399 $30.529 $27.201 $lM41 $1.201 S1.050 306.0400 18,794 S242 􀀤􀀱􀁾􀀮􀀵􀀸􀀱 $12 $1"13,138 511>.613 $14,9!58 S56 $1.491 $32.548 􀁾􀀹􀀹􀀹 518.462 $'.286 $2.166 326.500 19.371 $258 $16,582 $76 $184.494 511.309 515.931 159 $1.569 $34.683 $30.901 SI7.542 $1.371 $2.329 341.SOO 19.965 $214 $17.666 $81 5196.587 $12.050 $16.982 S63 $1,603 $36,958 $32.926 Sl8,691 $1.460 $2.482 370.500 $10.633 $292 Sl6.816 $87 $209.351 512.833 518.085 167 51.800 $19.351 $35.06:5 519.008 $1.5M 12.643 394.500 511,322 $311 S2G.03S $92 un.9lD SI3.664 519.256 sn $1.920 541.906 $31.337 s:lt.1g:; $1.1106 12.615 􀁾􀁬􀁧􀀬􀀱􀀰􀀰 $12.045 $:)31 521,315 $98 $231.158 sl·um $20.486 $16 $2.043 $44.563 $39.n2 $22.549 $1.162 S2.994 􀁾􀀴􀀶􀀮􀀴􀀰􀀰 $12.612 5352 s:l2.611 $104 􀁾􀀮􀀲􀀴􀀱􀀱 515.462 121,789 181 $2,172 147.419 542.249 $23,963 $1.814 13.105 474.500 113.618 1314 $24.008 $ltl $268,124 518.435 m.'61 see 12,300 $50.404 $44.908 S25.49'J '1.992 $3.385 504.100 $14.468 $3!l8 s:l5.8J1 $118 $2&l85O 511.461 n4.606 $92 􀀱􀀲􀀮􀁾 $53,548 147.710 $27.083 12.116 􀀤􀀳􀀮􀁾􀀷 :'135,300 51!5,363 S422 $27.186 $125 $3Q2.480S18.M1 􀁓􀀲􀀶􀁾􀀱􀀲􀀹 S91 􀁾􀀸􀀰􀀵 􀀤􀀵􀀶􀁾 150,683 $28760 $2,'47 m19 '5,635,000" . $161;629· .... $4-441--· .. -$2M,217' ... SU'S '13,182.725-􀀭􀀭􀀵􀁉􀁬􀁮􀀬􀀴􀀴􀀷􀀢􀁾􀁦􀀴􀀬􀁬􀁩􀁦􀁦􀀧􀀭􀀢 Stjll'2!l" . 􀀧􀁦􀀲􀀷􀀻􀀳􀀷􀁓􀁾􀀬􀁦􀀲􀀵 ·sm.Sot7 􀁴􀁩􀁬􀀷􀁍􀁾􀀳􀀻􀀷􀀰􀀸􀀭􀂷 . $40, lea· EI 19904 1995 1996 lOO? 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 20lY.1 2008 ..... 2001 I.D 2008 2009 -i o-i Dr"U jI1 IIj J1j Corridor Planning Study NORTH CENTRAL CORRIDOR NORTH OF PARK LANE Evaluation of Alternatives April. 1994 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration Dallas Area Rapid Transit This Corridor Planning Study is a cooperative effort of the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION and DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT assisted by BARTON-ASCHMAN ASSOCIATES, INC. in association with ICF Kaiser Engineers, Inc. Carter and Burgess, Inc. GSW and Associates, Inc .. Sasaki Associates, Inc. John S. Chase, FAIA, Architects, Inc. Urban Analytics LKC Consulting Dikita Engineering Cynthia A. Weatherby Consulting Metrocount North Central Texas Council of Governments ]]]]]]'., ...•... J'd]J"] 􀁾􀀭􀀧 J]..J. . . ']J]J'] rr rr. (LLL CORRIDOR PLARNIBG STUDY BORTH CBIITRAL CORRIDOR Borth of Park Lane BVALUATIOB 01' ALTE1UJATIVBS REPORT UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT April, 1994 II Ii [I rf -i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TABLB OP CORTBNTS Chapter One -Introduction Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures 15 7791 11 11iv vi Background Scope Of Study North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane, AA/DEIS Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act Of Evaluation Of Alternatives Report 1.1 Project 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.2 Purpose Chapter Two -Purpose ADd Need 2.1 specific Transportation Problems In The Study Corridor lt) . 1[r{{I' f 2.2 The Need For Transportation Improvements Chapter Three -Description Of Alternatives 3.1 Range Of Alternatives Considered 3.2 No-Build Alternative 3.3 TSM Alternative 3.3.1 Bus Transit System 3.3.2 Fixed Guideway Transit Improvements 3.4 Light Rail Transit Alternatives 3.4.1 Definition of LRT Alternatives 3.4.1.1 LRT/Parker Road Alternative 3.4.1.2 LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate Capacity 3.4.1.3 LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative 3.4.2 station Vicinities 3.4.3 Bus Transit System 3.4.4 Common Elements of LRT Alternatives 3.4.4.1 Technology i 15 16 16 17 20 20 24 24 24 25 25 29 29 33 34 34 3.4.4.2 3.4.4.3 3.4.4.4 3.4.4.5 TABLB 01' COIiTBNTS Reservation of Part of DART/SPRR ROW for Potential Future HOV Facility Roadway Grade Crossings Maintenance and storage Facility Requirements operating and Fare Policies 34 34 36 36 iII, Chapter I'our -Evaluation Of Alternative. 37 4.1 Evaluation Framework 37 4.1.1 study Goals And Objectives 37 4.1.2 Decision Framework 40 4.2 Project Effectiveness -Travel and Mobility Goal 43 4.2.1 Existing Transportation Services 43 4.2.1.1 Travel Patterns 43 4.2.1.2 Transportation System utilization 44 4.2.2 Travel and Mobility Impacts 48 4.2.2.1 Travel Demand Impacts 49 4.2.2.2 Transportation System Supply Impacts 52 4.2.2.3 Transportation System Performance Impacts 54 4.2.2.4 Localized Traffic Effects 55 4.3 Project Effectiveness -Environmental Goal 4.3.1 Noise and Vibration 4.3.1.1 Affected Environment 4.3.1.2 Potential Noise Impacts 4.3.1.3 Potential Vibration 4.3.2 Parklands 4.3.2.1 Affected Environment 4.3.2.2 Potential Impacts 4.3.3 Visual and Aesthetics 4.3.3.1 Affected Environment 4.3.3.2 Potential Impacts 4.3.4 Acquisitions and Displacements 4.3.4.1 Affected Environment 4.3.4.2 Potential Impacts 4.3.5 Air Quality 4.3.5.1 Affected Environment 4.3.5.2 Potential Impacts 4.3.6 Cultural Resources 4.3.6.1 Affected Environment 4.3.6.2 Potential Impacts 4.3.7 Hazardous/Regulated Materials ii 56 58 58 60 63 64 64 66 68 68 68 70 70 71 71 71 72 73 73 75 76 iI rLfl[II.l[[rLtLL[ TABLB OP CON'l'BlfTS 4.3.7.1 Affected Environment 4.3.7.2 Potential Impacts 4.3.8 Wetlands 4.3.8.1 Affected Environment 4.3.8.2 Potential Impacts 4.3.9 Other Environmental Considerations 4.3.9.1 Ecosystems 4.3.9.2 Hydrology/Water Quality 4.3.9.3 Energy consumption 4.4 Project Effectiveness -Equity Goal 4.4.1 Population and Employment 4.4.1.1 Transportation-Disadvantage d Population 4.4.1.2 Regional Accessibility 4.4.2 Land Use and Economic Development 4.4.2.1 Regional Land Use and Development Impacts . 4.4.2.2 Corridor-Level Land Use and Development Impacts 4.4.2.3 Consistency With Land Use Plans 4.4.2.4 Joint Development Issues 4.4.3 Neighborhoods and Community Cohesion 4.4.3.1 Neighborhood Integrity 4.4.3.2 Community Cohesion 4.5 cost-Effectiveness/Financial Feasibility 4.5.1 Capital Costs 4.5.2 Annual Operating and Maintenance Costs 4.5.3 Cost-Effectiveness 4.5.4 Financial Feasibility 4.6 Other Considerations And Evaluation Factors Chapter Pive -comparative Analysis Of Alternatives 5.1 Trade-Offs Among Alternatives 5.1.1 Similarities Among Alternatives 5.1.1.1 Similarities Of Minor Consequence 5.1.1.2 Similarities Of Major Consequence 5.1.1.3 Diverse Levels Of Impact 5.1.2 Difference Between Alternatives 5.1.3 Affected Interests 5.2 Evaluation Summary iii 76 77 79 79 81 82 82 83 85 85 86 86 86 89 89 89 92 95 95 95 96 97 97 98 99 99 100 103 103 103 103 104 105 106 107 107 TABLB 01' COltTDTS Chapter six -Next steps 6.1 Public Review/Involvement 6.2 Select LPA 6.3 Prepare LPA Report 6.4 EIS/Engineering/Designiv 110 110 110 111 111 i1__ Il-- r' [. f' f. [f(..􀁾;'.J [.'.•....'. '.-."' >-" LIST OF TABLES 2.1 Freeway Traffic Conditions In Northern Corridor 12 2.2 Arterial Traffic Conditions In Northern Corridor 13 3.1 Preliminary operating Plan, LRT/Parker Road Alternative 27 4.1 1990 Daily Home-Based Work (HBW) Person Trips 44 4.2 Current study corridor Transit Ridership 45 4.3 Summary Of Travel Demand Impacts 50 4.4 Summary Of System Supply Impacts 53 4.5 Summary Of Transportation Performance Impacts 54 4.6 Projected Station Vicinity Population and Employment (2010) 88 4.7 1990-2010 Population And Employment Projections 90 5.1 Evaluation of Alternatives 108 v LIST OF FIGURES 1.1 DART Service Area 1.2 Transit System Plan 1.3 LRT Starter System 1.4 Northern Corridor 3.1 No-Build Alternative 3.2 TSM Alternative 3.3 TSM Alternative -Express Bus Routes 3.4 LRT/Parker Road Alternative 3.5 LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity 3.6 LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative 3.7 LRT vertical Profile At Road crossings 4.1 Existing Corridor Traffic Volumes 4.2 Environmental Study Area 4.3 Noise Sensitive Locations Along LRT Alignment 4.4 Parklands 4.5 Visual/Aesthetic Resources 4.6 Cultural Resources 4.7 Sites Appearing On Regulatory Agency Data Bases 4.8 "Suspect" Wetlands 4.9 Surface Water Resources vi 23 46 18 21 23 26 28 30 35 46 59 62 65 69 74 78 80 84 IrI,I· III. rrl[[: EXECUTIVB SUIOIARY 1.1 Project Background Organized in 1983, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) consists of 14 member cities in Dallas, Denton, and Collin Counties, forming a 700 square mile service area. In June 1989, the DART Board of Directors adopted a Transit System Plan with 66 miles of light rail transit (LRT), 37 miles of high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) facilities and 18 miles of commuter rail. Construction has begun on DART's first 20 miles of the LRT "Starter System." DART's LRT Starter System is divided into three "lines" with a Central Business District (CBD) transitway mall (Figure S-l). o The south oak Cliff Line will connect Ledbetter Road to the CBD. !ii...,_ oo The .est oak Cliff Line will be constructed from Westmoreland Road to just south of the Trinity River bridge near Corinth Street where it will join the South Oak Cliff Line and enter the CBD. The Borth Central Line will connect Park Lane in the northeast to the CBD. o In the Dallas CBD, LRT service from/to these three lines will operate on a transitway mall to be constructed along Bryan Street and Pacific Avenue. The Fixed Guideway Implementation Schedule, also adopted by the Board as part of the Transit System Plan, calls for DART's LRT Starter System to be completed in 1996. Beyond development and adoption of the Transit System Plan and implementation of the LRT Starter System, DART has set additional priorities for development of the plan's elements. The resolution adopting the Transit System Plan calls for the concurrent implementation of LRT service in the North central Corridor, north of Park Lane and the Northeast (Garland) Corridor by the year 2001. The DART Board of Directors adopted a subsequent resolution March 24, 1992, selecting the North Central corridor, north of Park Lane, as the priority corridor for extending the LRT Starter System. DART intends to seek a capital grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to assist in funding an extension of the LRT Starter System. Studies of needed improvements to support the funding grant application and meet requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are being prepared for the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane, and the Northeast Corridor. Alternative transportation improvements for the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane (referred to hereinafter as the "Study ES-1 TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN LEGEND I I I COMMUTER RAIL LINE •••• HOY TRANSITWAY ---LIGHT RAIL STARTER SYSTEM f19.&) ••••• LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM (1997-2005) ::JccCCtLIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM (POST 2005) iI Iii. II! it. rI 􀁌􀀺􀁓􀁾􀁏􀁾􀁕􀁴􀀮􀀡􀀺􀁒􀁾􀁃􀀺􀀮􀀡􀀺􀁅􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀁓􀀽􀀺􀁣􀁯􀀲􀁐􀀺􀀮􀀡􀀮􀀡􀀮􀁬􀁮􀀡􀀮􀁩􀁧􀁾􀁬􀁮􀁾􀁦􀁾􀁯􀁲􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁭􀁾􀀸􀁾􀁴􀁬􀁾􀁯􀁮􀀮􀀡􀀮􀀬􀁾􀁏􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀺􀁃􀁾􀁴􀁯􀁾 􀁢􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀁲􀀮􀀺•􀀮􀀮..:.19:.:9:,:2;.:..-----------------....... 14 Figure 5-1 r! The work activities relating to the AA/DEIS study, which narrowly focused on transit solutions, have been revised in response to corridor") are the subject of this report. The study corridor is a loosely defined geographic area that represents the travelshed for most trips that would use the alternative transportation improvements being considered (refer to Figure S-l). The North Central Line of DART's LRT starter system, when completed in 1996, will extend to an interim terminal station at Park Lane. continuing planning and engineering studies are focused on the study Corridor, which extends north from Park Lane and includes portions of three cities: Dallas, Richardson, and Plano. In the Fall of 1992, the DART Board, in cooperation with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MFO) and FTA, initiated a study officially designated as the "North Central corridor, north of Park Lane, Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact statement (AA/DEIS)." The purpose of DART's the AA/DEIS study was to provide a basis for selecting the most appropriate transit improvement for the study Corridor. Subsequent to initiation of the AA/DEIS study, the u.s. Congress passed and the President signed into law the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA).l This Federal legislation caused FTA, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to change the manner in which the project development process unfolds. In response to the passage of ISTEA, FTA and FHWA recently promulgated Joint Planning Regulations "governing the development of statewide plans and programs. ,,2 Implementation of these regulations is intended to "ensure the adequacy of statewide AmI metropolitan (emphasis added) transportation planning and programming and the eligibility of metropolitan areas and State for Federal highway and transit funds.,,3 The new regulations have changed FTA's project development process for major transportation investment projects, especially transit projects being developed under the sponsorship of FTA. The new regulations establish a framework for performing "major investment (corridor or SUbarea) studies, [Which] shall be undertaken to develop or refine the [local transportation] plan and lead to decisions by the MFO, in cooperation with participating agencies, on the design concept and scope of the investment.,,4 r([rr ' [[f' I 234 Public Law 102-240, 105 Statute 1914. "Statewide Planning; Metropolitan Planning," Final Rules, 23 CFR Part 450, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and 49 CFR Part 613, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Realster, Vol. 58, No. 207, Thursday, October 28, 1993, p. 58040. Ibid. Ibid. ES-3 changes in Federal policy regarding the planning and programming of major transportation investment projects. The new "Corridor Planning study" focuses on evaluating multimodal transportation solutions for the Study Corridor. The reorientation of the study focus means temporarily suspending preparation of the AAIDEIS document in favor of a more direct, but less detafled "Evaluation of Alternatives Report," which identifies key trade-offs among potential modal solutions. Draft and Final EIS documents will be prepared subsequent to this activity, during Preliminary Engineering (PE) of the LPA. This Evaluation of Alternatives Report is' intended to assist community decision-makers in the selection of a "Locally Preferred Alternative" (LPA) for the Study Corridor. It is intended to (1) provide adequate understanding of the purpose for a major investment in transportation improvements in the StUdy Corridor and (2) establish the need for proposed improvements. This report contains descriptions or definitions of the alternatives being considered and provides a comparison of the trade-offs among alternatives, focusing on similarities, differences, and affected interests. The selection of the LPA will include definition of the design concept and scope of the proposed investment. The LPA will be advanced to Preliminary Engineering for more detailed definition, examination, and analysis. Physical, operating, environmental, and cost aspects of the LPA will be examined in detail during the Preliminary Engineering phase. Detailed environmental studies, inclUding the identification of mitigation measures, will be fully documented as Preliminary Engineering and preparation of the DEIS and Final EIS proceeds • All aspects of the transportation infrastructure in the StUdy corridor will be reviewed. 1.2 Purpose And Need The StUdy Corridor currently is served by two major freeways, an extensive grid system of streets and arterials, and a bus system that operates daily in mixed traffic on city streets. Despite the existing transportation infrastructure and planned improvements (particularly, widening US 75 and the addition of HOV lanes on US 75 and IH 635), significant traffic congestion is anticipated to occur in the Study corridor between now and the year 2010. Major increases in traffic are projected between now 'and 2010 along US 75, the major north-south freeway in this radial travel corridor. The expected traffic increase reflects projected growth in residential, commercial, and industrial development throughout the Study corridor, especially in the cities of Richardson and Plano. In addition, congestion delays are anticipated on many of the arterials. Most arterials are expected to operate at traffic levels of service (LOS) E or F by the year 2010. ES-4 II l.Lr . I􀁾 ,rrllIlt[ The above-described transportation system characteristics and improvement plans form the basis for examination of a number of problems that represent the underlying need for consideration of additional transportation improvements in the study Corridor. These problems are highlighted below. o Peak Hour congestion Increases Travel Times and Delays on study Corridor Freeways and Arterial Roads Even with the improvements contained in the TIP,'certain sections of freeways and arterials still will experience unacceptable levels of congestion (LOS E or worse). o Limitations of Existing DART Bus system Reduce opportunities to Meet Travel Demands of Existing and Prospective Ridership, Especially Reverse-commute Trips to Employment Centers in study Corridor Limitations on the existing DART bus system creates an inequity in the distribution of service. Most of the metropolitan area's major employment centers are located either inside or north of the Dallas CBD. Limited accessibility to employment centers in the Study Corridor reduces employment opportunities for workers living in the south portion of the larger North Central Corridor as well as other portions of the DART Service Area. o Existing Land Use Development Prevents Most Major Roadway Facilities in study Corridor from being Widened When the freeway and arterial widening projects identified in the TIP are completed, there will be almost no vacant ROW available for further roadway expansion. o Unacceptable Air Quality The level of ozone (03), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxides (NOx)' and hydrocarbon (HC) pollutants is expected to be reduced in the Study Corridor through a combination of planned transportation improvements and technological advances in the reduction of vehicle emissions. The specific transportation problems outlined above indicate the need to effect transportation improvements to (1) meet anticipated demand of the traveling public in the Study Corridor and (2) ameliorate other travel-related problems. Therefore, major transportation investments in the Study Corridor are necessary to: • Improve Mobility; • Reduce Traffic Congestion; and • Increase People-Carrying Capacity. ES-5 1.3 􀁄􀁥􀁳􀁣􀁲􀁩􀁰􀁾􀁩􀁯􀁄 Of 􀁁􀁬􀁾􀁥􀁲􀁄􀁡􀁾􀁩􀁶􀁥􀁳 Alternatives being considered for implementation in the study corridor include a No-Build Alternative, a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative, and two LRT alternatives. 1.3.1 No-Build 􀁁􀁬􀁾􀁥􀁲􀁄􀁡􀁾􀁩􀁶􀀮 The No-Build Alternative includes only those facilities and services in the Study corridor that either already exist or are included in the 1992 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and committed for construction. Major transit capital improvements programmed for the study Corridor under the No-Build Alternative are shown in Figure S-2. Programmed improvements include: o A one way, reversible HOV lane on the North Central Expressway (US 75) from Parker Road to the LBJ Freeway (IH 635); o Two way, concurrent operation HOV lanes on the LBJ Freeway from Valley View Lane (proposed SH 161) to East R.L. Thornton Freeway (IH 30); o The North Central Line of DART's 20-mile LRT Starter System to Park Lane. The definition of the No-Build Alternative includes: express bus service; local, feeder, and crosstown bus service; and rail transit services (commuter and LRT) already committed to by the DART Board of Directors. The bus operating plan for the No-Build Alternative in the stUdy Corridor assumes that the current level of bus transit service will increase as the population increases. committed DART projects outside the stUdy Corridor include the other lines of the LRT Starter System and commuter rail from Union station in Dallas to the transit centers at South Irving and Dallas/Fort Worth (D/FW) International Airport. This overall definition of transit services, as well as the committed highway network, are held constant among all the alternatives. i .. · (I. 1.3.2 TSX 􀁁􀁬􀁾􀁥􀁲􀁄􀁡􀁾􀁩􀁶􀁥 The TSM Alternative represents an alternative that seeks to accomplish two objectives. The first is to enhance, to the greatest 􀁾􀁥􀁧􀁲􀁥􀁥 practicable, existing and available transit services 1n the study corridor. The second is to augment programmed improvements to maximize the operational capabilities and efficiencyof regular bus and express bus services now in place. . Two TSM alternatives initially were defined. The TSM-NC HOV Alternative called for constructing two-way concurrent flow HOV facility in the median of the North central Expressway (US 75) south of LBJ Freeway. The two HOV lanes would augment the HOV lane ES-6 rI NO-BUILD ALTERNATIVE Figure 5-2 LEGEND -LRT Starter System • Transit Center I LRT Station ....... Committed HOV Lane ES-7 ..J\ SouIce. Dellnllcn or All...􀁾MaICIll9114. ! I _D'EEK• .L. -c--'--_--r----j 'Ii J􀁉􀁾 Ir----􀀭􀁴􀀺􀀮􀁐􀁁􀁒􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁋􀁾􀁅􀁒􀀽􀁄􀀺􀀮 􀀭􀀭􀀱􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁉􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁾􀀭􀀭􀀫􀁟􀁟􀀮􀀬A 1-: g 􀁾 EAST PLANO I 5ffi g S.'. TRANSIT􀁃􀁅􀁾􀁒 c_ PARK BLVD. 􀁾 􀁾 􀁾 I \ : 􀁾 PLANO P"""'. 􀁾 NORMAN F. 􀁾 i..IlTSrrr PKW'i. =. l--􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁦􀁾􀀺􀀺􀀮􀁲􀀺􀁾.􀀢..􀁾.􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁲􀁾􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮 81: 􀁌􀁏􀁏􀁉􀀸􀀧􀁾 FM SoU I... \ E􀁾 􀁾 􀁾􀁒􀁒􀀮 􀁾... 􀁾 AT&SFRA 􀁾 􀁾 􀁾􀀨􀀭􀀭􀀭 􀁾 "' o""-.,) -...... 􀁟􀁐􀁬􀀮􀁁􀁎􀁏􀁾 • 􀁾 􀀱􀀧􀀭􀀮􀀬􀀮􀀡􀁆􀁒􀁁􀁎􀁋􀁆􀁏􀁾􀀯􀁾􀁒􀁄􀁾􀁒􀁾􀁄􀀮􀁟􀀭􀀧􀀱􀁾􀀢􀀷􀀢􀀧􀀺􀀮􀀧􀁾􀀭􀀫􀁾􀀽􀀽􀀭􀁾􀀭􀁾􀁆􀁜􀁾􀁾􀀧􀀭􀀧􀀭􀀢􀁾􀀭􀀩 jl 􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀮􀀬􀀮􀁾􀁜􀁾 􀀮 􀁾 D..d/",-", 􀁾􀁉􀁜 􀁾􀀯􀀧􀀯 􀁾 ',,! 􀁾 􀁾 ';f;:ICHARDSON 􀀮􀁳􀀺􀀮􀀬􀁾􀀢 ARAPAHO RD. l 􀁌􀀭􀀬􀁾􀁩􀁾􀁓􀁉􀁔 CENTER 􀀯􀁾􀀮􀁉􀁢 '",., 􀁾􀁖􀀭 􀁾􀁉􀀭􀀢 􀁾..􀁾􀀮􀀬 ........ 􀁾 1\ j 􀁾 .... , I "oaT"' 􀁾 ./. 􀁟􀁗􀁬􀁬􀁙􀁾 f,s·'l1J a:; c:i 􀁾􀁾........􀁾􀁾 Tf 􀁾 '"-􀀬􀀮􀁾 l 􀁾 BUCKINGHAM RD. , t: 􀁾􀁾 􀁾􀀮􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁩􀁲􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁴􀀽􀀽􀀽􀀺􀀢􀀺􀀻􀀻􀀻􀀻􀀺􀀺􀀢􀀺􀀧􀀽􀀧􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀁉􀁉 \ LBJ FREEWAY 8 ....... 􀁾 V ....􀁾.......... """"","'"'''''' ....􀁴􀁾􀀮􀁾 􀁴􀁜􀁅􀁓􀁔􀁌􀁾􀁯􀀮 i 1 NORTH CENTRAL It' ."" " 􀁾 PARK &RIDE I. 11111 r--.... -;--r-w::..W;..:;,;Al:::.N:.::UT,;",;Sr:T.:... ....__-r--::;;;;;;;i""'-..1 1\ FORES)LN. I::.,· ""1 􀁾􀁾􀁲􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁬􀁾􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀁾...􀁾􀁉􀀡􀀡􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁴􀀭􀀭􀀭 :> /􀁾 \ 􀁾 ) I t 7 "":::::'1 I 􀁟􀁊􀁺􀀧􀁖􀁾􀁟􀁣􀀺􀁩􀁖 􀁾 !I It i § :z I ji"I --􀁾 􀁾 9 􀁾 lft$􀁾 􀁾 􀁾 lE ROYAl IN. 􀁾􀀢􀀬􀀾􀀧 I\! 􀀮􀀻􀁲􀀮􀀤􀁊􀁾􀀧 􀁾 􀁗􀀧􀁍􀁬􀁬􀁬􀁅􀁒􀁾􀁉􀁄􀀧 /2 􀁾􀀮 􀁾 c:i 􀀢􀀢􀁾􀁾 \ 􀁾__􀀭􀀱􀀭􀁟􀁾__ :z a:;" ____ a:; '" > 􀁾 􀁾 9 WAlNUT HILL LN. izV i 􀁲􀀭􀁟􀁉􀀭􀁉􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀁾 _-+_2 PARKLN IY{ 'J 􀁑􀁾 􀁾􀀮􀀭􀀮 PARK LANE LRT S4ATION NW HIGHWAY (Terminus of LRT Starter System) I f r[; fiLL[[r programmed for construction on US 75 north of LBJ Freeway and on LBJ Freeway. The TSM-SP HOV Alternative, in contrast, called for construction of a two-way, concurrent flow HOV facility within the DART/SPRR ROW. This facility would have originated at the LRT Park Lane station and terminate at the East Plano Transit Center near Parker Road. The initial screening of these alternatives led to the definition of less ambitious TSM objectives and a TSM Alternative without additional major HOV lanes/facilities south of LBJ Freeway. The TSM Alternative defined for evaluation builds on the reversible HOV lane committed for construction in us 75 north of the LBJ Freeway (Figure S-3). Bus access to the North Central Park-and-Ride facility, south of LBJ Freeway, would be improved. Further, bus ramps, providing direct access to the us 75 HOV lane, would be constructed at three transit center locations: • North of Arapaho Road near the Richardson Transit Center; • South of SH 190 near a proposed SH 190 Transit Center; and • North of Park Boulevard at the East Plano Transit Center. These new ramps would permit express buses to enter and exit the us 75 HOV lane and support expansion of express bus service in the study Corridor. The additional express bus service would provide direct access to/from downtown Dallas for patrons using the transit centers. The TSM Alternative also calls for new or enhanced user facilities. These facilities would include: a new transit center to be located near the proposed SH 190 Freeway; improvement of the existing transit center at the North Central P&R facility; and expansion of the Park Lane Station park-and-ride facility to permanently accommodate "end-of-the-line" parking. The Park Lane station currently is designed only to serve interim demand, on the assumption that the LRT North Central Line will be extended north of Park Lane. The 2010 bus operating plan assumed for the TSM Alternative includes all local, radial limited, crosstown, and circulator service included in and as defined for the No-Build Alternative. The proposed new bus access ramps to the us 75 HOV lane would be constructed in lieu of extending the LRT North Central Line north of Park Lane. This would provide more efficient access for express bus service in the Study Corridor. In addition, the TSM Alternative assumes initiation of seven additional express routes (for a total of nine in the study Corridor) and bus circulator routes. ES-S I 􀁾 II {r TSM ALTERNATIVE t.. .-􀁾rI I SPRING CREEK PKWY. PARKER RD. AT&SF R.R. SOUIaI: DelInlion 01 AaernalMls, March 1994. ES-9 """" da: :I: 9:I: CIl LEGEND 1111111 Committed HOV Lane -LRT Starter System Transit Center I LRT Station Proposed Transit Center Shuttle Service Area Figure 8-3 LR'll Alternatives Two LRT alternatives have been defined to satisfy travel needs in the study Corridor. Each represents an extension of the North Central Line of the LRT starter System (beginning at the Park Lane station) within the Southern Pacific Railroad (SPRR) right-of-way (ROW) recently purchased by DART (DART/SPRR ROW). Definition of the LRT alternatives also acknowledges the potential future development of an HOV facility within the DART/SPRR ROW in addition to LRT facilities. And, each includes the committed and programmed improvements to the existing bus transit and roadway system described for the No-Build Alternative. Some aspects of the bus transit system would vary between alternatives, reflecting the availability of rapid (i.e., LRT) transit services. LR'll/parker Road Alternative ( . There are two options being considered for extending LRT service from Park Lane to Parker Road in Plano. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative is defined as full development (i.e., construction and operation) of double track LRT service to Plano in accordance with design and operating criteria of the LRT Starter System. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative, therefore, represents a completed system for the Study Corridor. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative would constitute a 12.3 mile extension of the LRT Starter System north of Park Lane Station in the Dallas (Figure S-4). LRT service would operate within the former DART/SPRR ROW from Park Lane through Richardson to Parker Road in Plano. This alternative would include a total of eight (8) stations in addition to the Park Lane Station plus a "Special Events" platform at 15th Street in the city of Plano Downtown area. The operating plan for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative assumes an ultimate peak-hour headway of 10 minutes and an off-peak headway of 15 minutes. The LRT system would operate on a double track guideway at a maximum operating speed of 55 miles per hour and have an average low-level platform station dwell time of 30 seconds. Generally, two-car trains would operate most of the day, with some three-car trains in the peak periods and single-car trains in the evenings. LR'll/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity The second option for extending LRT service to Parker Road has been defined in terms of staging LRT system development beyond Arapaho Road. This alternative, referred to as LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity, would have no stations between Arapaho Road and Parker Road. Therefore, there would be only six stations beyond the Park Lane Station. North of Arapaho Road, LRT service would be developed to accommodate near-term demand (Figure S-5). ES-10 II,I • I LRT/PARKER ROAD ALTERNATIVE .J ARAPAHO STATION I -ICHARDSON NSITCENTER I I SPRING CREEK PKWY. da: i, IIII I t 1 .-r----..,--"""'-----: 􀁾 j􀁾 􀁾􀀭􀀭􀁟􀁟􀁴􀀮􀀮􀀻􀀮􀀻􀁐􀁁􀁒􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀽􀁋􀁅􀁒􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀽� �􀀺􀀺􀀻􀀻􀁄􀂷􀀧􀀭􀀭􀁟􀁟􀁬􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀁟􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀁟􀀬􀁜􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁬 ..JPARKER ROAD STATIONI Ii! ci;:;:; 7" EAST PLANO 􀁾 􀁾 la' TRANSIT CENTER a :::E:?E 1-􀁆􀁐􀁁􀁒􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀺􀁋􀁔􀁂􀁬􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀮􀁖􀁄􀁾 􀀮_-+ t-+ 􀀺􀁩􀁩􀀡􀀭􀀫􀁾􀀮􀁟􀀮􀀺􀁾 §!l1 I 15th STREET SPECIAL I J \ : E i( A EVENTS STATION : 􀁾􀀡􀀡􀀮􀁾 PLANO PKWY. ./\..-__􀁾􀀬􀀡􀀺􀀡􀁎􀁏􀁾􀁒􀁾􀁍􀁾􀁁􀁎􀀡􀀡􀀮􀀺􀁆􀀮􀁾􀁗􀀮􀁾􀁊􀁈􀀡􀀻􀁬􀁬􀀮􀁲􀁲􀁳􀁾􀁉􀀱 􀁔􀀺􀀢􀀺􀁐􀀢􀀺􀀺􀁋􀁗􀀧􀁦􀀮􀀽􀀭􀀧􀁾􀀵􀁾􀀱􀁩􀀻􀀺􀀬􀀺􀀢􀁴􀁴􀁾􀁩􀁮􀀻􀀺􀀭􀁓􀁾􀀺􀀺􀁔􀀮􀁾􀀮􀁬􀀭􀀽􀁏􀁏􀀻􀀧􀀺􀀢􀁲􀁳􀀭􀀬􀀭􀁬􀀬􀁾􀁾􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮 FM 544 ,....•_ -\ :: tI ., 􀁾􀁆􀁬􀁬􀁩 r􀁾 _ 􀀢􀀽􀀢􀁟􀁾 __ .•􀁾􀁾__􀀭􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁾􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀁟􀀭􀁌􀀮 __ PLANO PKWY. -=. :II: .J SH 190 STATION I ::::::t"ooo...􀁾 ./􀁾 􀀭􀁾􀁾 􀁾􀁾 l 􀁾 ! ......􀁾􀀮􀀬 , I'\.. BElTliERD 􀁾 􀀮􀀻􀁾 .. SPRll VAllEY RD. 􀁾􀁳􀀮􀀬􀀬􀀢􀀢􀁾􀀿􀀱􀀮􀂧􀀮􀁩􀀺􀁖 1 ......I SPRING VALLEY STATION J 􀀫􀁉􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁾􀁾􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁴􀀧􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀮􀁬􀁟􀁾􀀢􀀧􀁾 􀂷􀁨􀁾􀁊􀀮 7 ca:' 􀁾􀀮 fYi'/􀁾'-, 􀀮􀀢􀀧􀁾 􀁾 : __ BUCKINGHAM RD. c ...... if 􀁾 􀁾􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁾􀀽􀀽􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁲􀀺􀀭􀀻􀀮􀀻􀀺􀀻􀀮􀀻􀀮􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁲􀀭􀀭􀁉􀁉 , LBJ FREEWAY 8 .....􀁾. j 􀀮􀁊􀁉􀀢􀀺􀀧􀁌􀀭􀀽􀁂􀁾􀁊􀀢􀀢􀀧􀁓􀀽􀁔􀁁􀀽􀀽􀀺􀁲􀀺􀀺􀀭􀀺􀁉􀁏􀀺􀀺􀀢 􀀺􀀢􀁎􀀧􀀺􀀢􀀱􀀱 'IP /IIlIltllllllllll 111111111111111111111 􀁉􀁉􀁬􀁉􀁴􀁾􀁾 􀁩􀁦􀁾􀁙 0'" 1 NORTH CENTRAL.' .􀀭􀀬􀀮􀀣􀀣􀁾􀀮􀂧􀀺􀀺 " J \ PARK &RIDE 1 􀁾􀁾􀀣􀁉 --_+ rW;.::•,􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁗􀀺􀁁􀁌􀁎􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁕􀁔� �􀀮􀀺􀀮􀁲􀁓􀁾􀁔􀀮__􀀭􀁴􀀭􀀭􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀻􀀻􀀻􀁾.......1 􀁾 (U< 1_;::􀀺􀀧􀀦􀁴􀁾􀀧􀀭􀁔􀀢􀁾􀀭􀁾􀀣􀀭􀀺􀀭􀁽􀀭􀀣􀀭􀁾􀀭􀀺􀁾􀀫􀀭􀀻􀀫􀁖􀀢􀀭􀀺􀀻􀀧􀁉􀀧􀀭􀀬􀁯􀀺􀀻􀁾􀀭􀂷􀁴􀀭􀁉 􀁛􀁊􀁾 g: ROYAL LN. ? /c:J T 􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀮 _ 􀁾 􀁾 W. MILLER􀁾􀁰􀀮 J '" III 􀁾􀁩 . 􀁥􀀮􀁾􀀧􀀷􀀯 f----+---􀁾􀁩 'j WALNUT HILL STATIONI LEGEND 􀁾 a,A.A'\::=;; 111111111011 􀁾􀁳􀁥􀁤 Light Rail Transit _ _ 􀁴􀀭􀁟􀁾􀁃􀀵􀁾􀀮 WALNUT HILL LN. 􀁾􀀬􀁾􀁦􀁩􀁾􀁊􀀱􀀻􀀺􀂷􀀺􀀭􀀽􀀢􀀧􀁊 \ ..... 􀁾 􀁩􀁾 J'J 1111111 (CommTraitdtl)ed HOV Lane PARKLN 􀀮􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁲􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀻􀀮􀀻􀀮􀀮􀀻􀀻􀀮􀀻􀀻􀀮􀀻􀀮􀀴􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁉􀁦􀁬􀁪􀁾 -LRT Starter System g􀁾 􀀮􀀭􀁾 PARK LANE LRT STATION NW HIGHWAY .. (Terminus of LRT Starter System) • Transit Center I LRT Station , cs:D LRT Station Vicinity l· r!,rLr" r[ Soun:e: Delinllon 01 AlernaIMl6, March 1994. ES-11 Figure 5-4 LRT/PARKER ROAD ALTERNATIVE· INTERMEDIATE CAPACITY l 􀁜􀀭􀀽􀁓􀁐􀁾􀁒􀁉􀁎􀁇􀀺􀀬􀀺􀀬􀀺􀀬􀁃􀁒􀀽􀁅􀁬􀀨􀀺􀀧􀀺􀀢􀀺􀀢􀀺􀀧􀀺􀁐􀁾􀁲􀀺􀀭􀀮􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀁾􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀧􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁴􀀭􀀭􀀬 rt 􀁦􀁾 •.-1__􀁾 PARKER RD. l j I 􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁲􀀽􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀭􀀱􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁉􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁃􀁾􀀮􀁌􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀁾􀁊J ...lPARKER ROAD STATIONI I a: d 􀁾 /' EAST PLANO I m 􀁾 􀁾􀀽􀀮 TRANSIT CENTER 􀁾 􀁾􀀮􀀮 I PARKBLVO. U I • I \ : E 􀁾 : ! 􀁾 NORMAN F. WHITSITTPKWY. : ! I III SOUIIlll: DeIInllon 01 AlernaIIves, MlIICh 1l1e4. ES-12 I I Figure 5-5 I!. !l.[[. [L[L[[ The operating plan between Park Lane and Arapaho Road would be similar to the LRT/Parker Road Alternative. Specific features defining this optional approach beyond Arapaho Road are: • Use of existing tracks north of Arapaho Road, if possible, requiring single track operations through some segments; • No intermediate stations between Arapaho Road and Parker Road; • 20 minute peak headway/3D minute off-peak headway north of Arapaho Road; • Single platform at the Parker Road station; and • Design and construction to accommodate the addition of a second track and intermediate stations in the future, i.e., full development. The single station site north of Richardson would be an at-grade platform located immediately adjacent the existing East Plano Transit Center bus loading/unloading facilities. The existing park-and-ride and kiss-and-ride facilities at this center would serve the function of the Parker Road station contemplated under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity has been included to permit consideration and evaluation of the cost and ridership impacts associated with the decision initially to provide a minimal level of service beyond Richardson. It reflects the objective of DART to establish LRT service to Plano, while recognizing DART's responsibility for developing the full regional LRT network defined in the Transit System Plan. However, this alternative would not include intermediate stations at Campbell Road, SH 190, and 15th Street, because increased operating headways would lower expected boardings and alightings at these stations. Developing the LRT/Parker Road Alternative in stages would permit financial resources available to DART to be directed toward the development of other LRT segments, such as the Northeast Line. LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would extend the LRT Starter System only 6.8 miles (Figure S-6). This LRT alternative would have an identical alignment and station configuration as the LRT/Parker Road Alternative up to Richardson. Service would terminate at Arapaho Road after crossing over Arapaho Road. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative is considered to be the "minimum operable segment" (MOS) for LRT service beyond Park Lane. The MOS is the shortest extension of the LRT Starter System that would preserve the greatest amount of ridership while reducing construction costs and (in some cases) environmental impacts. That is to say, it is the minimum operable "new" segment that can be constructed and operated in a cost-effective manner. ES-13 :L::R::T:/=A=R=A=PA=H=O==R=O=AD==A=LT=E=R=N=A=T=IV=E================:; IIi i. r" iiII I I SPRING CREEK PKWY. 1 II III IIII 􀀭􀁴􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀁾 􀁾 /􀁾 --􀁾􀀢􀀮 A I ------r=:.:.:..::::=--- --i----l----li!-t.-----1hiJ EAST PLANO m g :.. TRANSIT CENTER !3 3;/. PARK BlVD. U c ..... 􀁉􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀂥􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀻􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀺􀁬􀁾􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁴􀀭􀀧􀁾􀀺􀁾 􀁾 \ NORMAN F. WHn'S1lT PKWY. : 􀁾 PLANO PKWY. ./J : 81: Loo/S.􀁾 FM 544 I... \ 􀁾􀁾 􀀮􀁾􀁎􀀮􀁱􀀮􀁱􀀮 􀁲􀁾􀀮 􀁔.􀀢1􀀧􀁾-􀁁-􀁔􀁾-􀀦-􀁓-􀁾􀁆-􀁾_􀁒􀀮.􀁒1􀀮􀁾-􀀭􀀭_􀁾􀀢,􀀢􀁾􀁊..􀀮.􀀮􀀧􀀮􀁾􀀮􀀭􀀮􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁬􀁲􀀮􀀮 􀀮􀀡􀁐􀁬􀁁􀁎􀁏􀁾􀁾􀁰􀁋􀁗􀁙􀀮􀀵􀀡􀀡􀀡_􀀺􀀮􀀮􀁟􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀬􀀮\􀀮􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭:􀀭􀀭􀀻􀀻..􀀺I􀁴'J􀀭.J...__-+---r-----J1".,r--......__./, ----:--1 ----􀁾 􀁾 I 􀁾􀁲 .. RENNERRO. \ 􀁬􀀧􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮 􀀮􀀡􀀡􀁆􀁒􀁁􀁎􀁋􀁆􀁏􀁾􀁾􀁒􀁾􀁄􀁒􀁏􀁾􀂷􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀮􀁊􀁴􀀭􀁖􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀧􀀭􀁾􀀽􀀧􀁴􀁃􀀺􀀭􀀭􀀽􀀽􀀭􀁾􀀭􀀭􀀺􀀢􀁆􀁜􀁾􀀭􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁩􀀯􀁉􀁲􀀧􀁾) J '\ 􀁾 􀁉􀁜􀁾􀀢 1\. !'/􀀧􀀬􀁾 V I \.. .ir) ARAPAHO STATION .0' 􀁾 􀁾 􀁾 WAICHA::;=....1 􀁾􀁾􀁾􀀧􀀮􀀭􀀺 l 􀁾􀀮􀀮 SIT CENTER 􀀯􀁾􀀮􀁬􀁢􀁾􀀧􀀢􀀬 ., 􀁾􀁲􀀭􀀭􀀭 [" I 􀁾􀁾 " , I'.. BELTlINE RD 􀁾 􀁾 I ,( 􀀱􀁊 􀁾􀁾􀀮 ,J " 􀁾􀀢􀀧􀁬􀀱􀀧􀀩􀁊 L SPRING VAllEY RO. 􀀤􀁾􀀢􀀢􀀩􀁲􀁩􀀢􀀷 --l SPR!NG VALLEY STATION I ........ 􀁾 􀁾 g I 􀁾 BUCKINGHAM RD. • l LBJ FREEWAY 8!:: 􀁾􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮 _4􀁾f J LBJ STATION 􀁾􀁾 /....,. 􀁴􀁾􀁾 I"'§:V I 0'" , NORTH CENTRAL.' ..􀁾􀁾􀁻 􀁾51 􀁾 PARKI& RIDE 7 􀁄􀁾􀁾 􀁾􀀬􀁾􀁾 􀁾 t--_+__􀀭􀀫􀁾􀁷􀀮􀁾􀁗􀁾􀁁􀁬􀀺􀀡􀀡􀁎􀁕􀁔􀁾􀀺􀀡􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀮----f-"""'::;;;;;;;j......_1 FOREST LN. 􀁁􀁾􀀧􀁾􀀧 '# 􀁾 :>􀁾/"<\1 '# "'If cl \ g ( I.A􀁾􀁪􀀢􀁝􀀮􀁁 ROYAL LANE 􀁓􀁔􀁁􀁔􀁉􀁾􀁎 I ci 􀁾􀁧 .......... ci 􀁾 g a: z 􀁉􀁨􀀬􀁾􀁖􀁩􀀢􀀢􀀢 􀁾 -#,# " a: a: a: ii 􀀬􀀮􀁴􀁴􀁾􀀮􀀮􀀮􀁊 o 􀀢􀀧􀁾 􀀮􀀢􀁾􀀮􀀢􀀧􀀺􀁽􀀧 I--g: =. A\. 􀁾 UIIIIUIIIU ProDOsed Light Rail Transit 􀁾 WALNUT HILL LN. 􀁉􀁉􀁾􀁗􀀧 c:: r-.... (DDIble Trad<) 􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀁧􀀺􀀳􀁉􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀭􀁪􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀺􀀽� �􀀽􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀭􀀭􀀱􀁲􀀺􀀻􀁾􀁉􀀢􀀧􀁩􀁴􀂧􀀢􀂷􀂷􀂷 􀁾 ....... Committed HOV Lane 􀁟􀀭􀀫􀀭􀁟􀁾􀁉􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀻􀁐􀁁􀀺􀀽􀀮􀀻􀁒􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀁋􀀺􀀺􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁌􀁎􀀺􀁴􀀮􀁲􀀭􀀭 􀁾 /J -LRT Starter System . 􀁾 •,S. PARK LANE LRT STATION 􀁾 NW HIGHWAY I-= (Terminus of lRT Starter System) • Transit Center I LRT Station , ( LRT Station Vicinity Source: Delln.1on 01 AkernalMll, March 1994. ES"'14 Figure 5-6 IF' {l[. lLfL rIl [[r[LLL[ This LRT alternative is shorter than the LRT/Parker Road Alternative; therefore, it would have only five additional stations beyond the Park Lane station. Feeder bus service would operate to/from the East Plano Transit Center and other areas to the north. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative operating plan would be similar to the LRT/Parker Road Alternative, because the operating segment between Park Lane and Arapaho Road is common to both. .' station Vicinities The possible vicinities for the location of LRT stations (as shown in previous figures) was developed by DART based on projected demand for fixed guideway transit service derived from patronage forecasts prepared by DART and NCTCOG. The Walnut Hill, LBJ Freeway, Arapaho Road, and Parker Road station vicinities are considered highest priority for service, based on ridership forecasts, cost, and joint development potential. The Royal Lane and spring Valley station vicinities offer the next best potential for generating ridership. The Campbell Road, SH 190, and 15th street station vicinities offer the lowest potential for ridership. Optional LRT station sites have been established in each of the station vicinities identified for the LRT alternatives. sites have been located within the limits of the recommended station vicinities through consideration of: available land, roadway access, proximity to existing development, space requirements, and environmental conditions. station platforms would be either at-grade or elevated, depending on the vertical alignment of the LRT tracks within the station vicinities. In some cases, alternative vertical and horizontal alignments of the tracks have been considered. More detailed definition of the location and design of stations will be completed during Preliminary Engineering. 1.4 Evaluation Of Alternatives ISTEA established a new policy for guiding consideration of proposed major transit investment projects, such as extension of the LRT starter System, before advancing them through the FTA project development process. In the past, FTA rated major transit investment projects based on narrowly defined cost-effectiveness indices. ISTEA and new implementing regulations require FTA to consider a broad range of evaluation criteria during the conduct or "corridor" or "subarea" studies. The new Joint Planning Regulations pUblished by FTA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicate the sponsors of proposed major transportation investment proj ects now must consider, in addition to cost-effectiveness, the following factors: • Mobility Improvements (specifically, travel time & travel opportunities, congestion relief, increased mobility for the transit dependent population); ES-15 • Social, Economic, and Environmental Effects (specifically, air pollution, noise pollution); • Safety; • Operating Efficiencies; • Land Use and Economic Development (specifically, transit-supportive land use policies and patterns); • Financing; • Energy Consumption. S The regulations also indicate that corridor or subarea studies should incorporate, as appropriate, analyses of demand reduction and operational management strategies (OMS). Major investment (corridor or sUbarea) studies are undertaken to provide a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of alternative investments or strategies in attaining local, state, and national goals and objectives as well as cost-effectiveness project goals providing the local framework for evaluating transportation improvement alternatives for the Study Corridor are stated below. o Travel and Xobility Goal -Provide a transportation system within the Study Corridor that meets the Study Corridor's mobility needs and that is safe, efficient, and coordinated. o Environmental Goal -Provide a transportation system that preserves and enhances the Study Corridor's social and physical environment and that minimizes potential impacts to sensitive resources. o Equity Goal Provide a transportation system that is consistent with the local community's goals and fairly distributes the system's costs, benefits, and impacts among various population sUbgroups. In addition to considerations relating to the achievement of local and regional transportation, environmental, and equity goals, there remains the need to examine the cost-effectiveness of project alternatives. Cost-effectiveness, as applied to major transportation capital investment projects, is defined as the extent to which an alternative returns benefits in relation to its costs. 1.4 Evaluation Of Alternatives .fIIIl II I Table S-l summarizes the principal findings and conclusions with respect to potential impacts of alternatives evaluated during the Corridor Planning StUdy conducted for the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane. 5 ·Statewide Planning; Metropolitan Planning,· Final Rules. ES-16 1[ Alternative ES-17 • FY 1993-94 Fjwpsjal Pian Table S-1 No-Build TSM LRT/Arapaho Road LRTlParker Road LRTlParker Road Evaluation of Alternatives (MOS) Staged Implementation Full Development '1hpaDdI ameu Bill Scnice '1DcIudeI ProjedI of 􀁎􀁾􀁂􀁵􀁩􀁉􀁤AhIaIatiwlI .1DCIUdeI PmjecII 􀁯􀁦􀁎􀁾􀁂􀁵􀁩􀁬􀁤􀁁􀁬􀁬􀁭􀁬􀁡􀁩􀁷 • 1DcIudeI PmjecII of 􀁎􀁾BuildAbsmItiN • IDcIudeI ProjDcu of 􀁎􀁾􀁂􀁵􀁩􀁬􀁤AbIlmative North Central Corridor, North ofPark Lane ·lnciudel Pn.jpiiWillld HOV 1.IlIIIlI1I2 us 7S • Additillaal RoIdMy Opntioaal ok • En!mioa ofLRT StanDr SyIliIID III Araplho • Enmiaa ofLRT Stmar SytIIlID to PIrbr • EmmioD ofLRT StInDr Syaam to PEbr ok LBJ Free-r Low-Colt PhyIicallmpiovemems (UP) RoIId in RichIJdIoD RoIId in P1aDo Road inP1aDo .1DCIUdeI otImTborouabf-hnpaUlIeiDbUtI • Expe...... ofEmtina ParkL-LRT •PMNew LRTSIatiooI • Sm NewLRTStmcmI •BiIbt New LRT SlatiDal plus Special EWlII!I • LRT TCIrIIIinuIlt ParkL-StaDoo PakinI F.ciliI:y • 10 IIIimIIB Head_y in PIlat PIlriodI • 20 IJIiDJI!B HeadWll)' in PIlat PariodI NllIth of Platform in P1IDO • Bill ACCDII Ramp III US 7S novL-It • ReIUucbnd Bill RIa. okHae8:qaII RIa. • 6.8 mile Double1ilIck Guide-r AIIpIho RoadLRT Slatioll • 10 IJIiDJI!B Headw.y in PIlat PeriodI RicbIrdIoaTrmn Comer • BillA_Rampllll us 7S HOY1.IlIIIlI • Bill Feeder Senrice III nm.il Statioal • 12.3 mile Double okSmp1ilIck Guideway • 12.3 mile Double 1'nclt Guideway Evaluation Criteria/Performance Measures at ButP1mo Ir.SH 1901iaIIIit CeaIIr wiIb. SidiDp • Bill Feeder Senrice III Trmsit StatioaI • Cin:ula1Dr Semc:e farTrmn Cemrn • Bill Feeder Servioe III nm.il SIatioaI NIA=Not Applicable 'Improwd ACCDII for Norm CeaIralPHFe. TRAVEL & MOBILITY • Population within 1 mile of Transit Stations/Centers N/A 67,000 97,000 109,000 163,000 • Change in Daily Systemwide Transit Riders N/A Base +3,500 +3,800 +5,400 • Average Transit Travel Time to CBD from: -LBJ Station/North Central Transit Center 26 26 21 21 21 -Arapaho Road Station 35 35 26 26 26 -Parker Road Slation 40 40 40 32 34 • Travel Time Savings (Annual Annual Hours) N/A Base +948,800 +1,129,100 +1,536,900 Roadways • Reduction in Daily Roadway Vehicle Miles +18,460 Base -62,480 -68,160 -96,560 Traveled (VMT) EQUITY • Employment within 1 Mile of Transit Stations/Centers N/A 117,780 164,000 172,000 238,000 ENVIRONMENTAL • Number of Noise Sensitive Sites Potentially Affected N/A N/A 20 34 34 • Number of Sensitive ViSUal/Aesthetic Resources N/A N/A 11 15 15 Potentially Affected • Number of Parklands Potentially Affected N/A 1 4 5 5 • Number of Potential Displacements None None 2 2 2 • Change in Air Emissions +0.2 Tons/Day Base -0.6 Tons/Day -0.7 Tons/Day -1.0 Tons/Day COSTIFINANCIAL FEASIBILITY • Added Capital Cost (Millions) Base +$44.9M +$215.3M +$267.6M +$324.1M • Available Capital Funding 1996-2001* N/A $240-$250M $240-$250M $240-$250M $240-$250M • Added Annual Operating & Maintenance Cost Base +$8.2M +$7.6M +$6.3M +$9.8M (Millions of 1993 Dollars) 􀂷􀁃􀁯􀁳􀁾􀁅􀁦􀁦􀁥􀁣 􀁴􀁎􀁥􀁮􀁥􀁳􀁳􀁦􀁵􀁯􀁯􀁸􀀨􀁃􀁅􀁏 N/A Base $9.83 $11.25 $12.24 1IJJ -"1)",!J .J.. 􀁾􀁾 􀁾 ::J􀁾ii I B Jl 􀁾I' -·-11 ,l 􀁾􀁾 I I􀁾􀀭 It ]) :J] J ES-18 The evaluation associated with the Project Effectiveness Environmental Goal focuses on the degree and character of impacts to the physical, social,. and cultural resources of the Study Corridor. The potential for major environmental consequences from the implementation of each alternative was determined through review of available information and minimal field reconnaissance. The purpose of the review was two-fold: (1) determine the general differences in effects, consequences, or impacts between the alternatives being considered; and (2) differentiate between the significance of the different types of effects, consequences, or impacts anticipated. The evaluation associated with the Project Effectiveness -Travel and Mobility Goal seeks to determine how well each alternat.ive improves travel times and accessibility within the study Corridor and to/from points outside the study Corridor. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative would serve the greatest population within one mile of transit stations. It would make efficient transit services available to about 100,000 more persons than the TSM Alternative. The result would be an additional 5,400 transit riders. The LRT/Parker Road -Intermediate Capacity option would add about 40,000 persons, while the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would add about 30,000. These two alternatives would add 3,800 and 3,500 transit riders daily to the transit system, respectively. Project Effectiveness -Travel and Mobility Goal Project Effectiveness -Environmental Goal 1.4.1 Transit time savings would be a principal benefit resulting from more efficient transportation systems. The average trip travel time from three representative station locations to the Dallas CBD is shown for all alternatives in Table S-l. The trip travel time forecasts indicate the LRT alternatives would reduce the trip travel time to the Dallas Central Business District (CBD) from locations in the study Corridor. Average travel time saved in comparison to the No-Build and TSM Alternatives would range from 5 to 9 minutes. It is estimated that the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would generate annual travel time savings of 1,536,900 hours. Annual travel time savings would be slightly less than 1 million hours for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative and about 1.1 million hours for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity option. The benefit of transit travel time savings would be the attraction of more transit riders to DART's system. The attraction of riders to the transit system serving the study Corridor would reduce the daily non-transit vehicle miles of travel in the DART Service Area. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative, which would provide full development of LRT service to Plano, would generate a reduction in daily vehicle miles of almost 100,000 miles. The other two LRT alternatives would result in reducing daily vehicle miles by 60,000 to 70,000 miles. r[[rr[' [' [LrftIe .LL criteria for measuring the performance of an alternative relative to the environmental goal specifically address effects on the physical setting of the study Corridor. Five criteria have been identified as "key" indicators of project effectiveness. o Noise -The number of noise sensitive sites affected by proposed transportation improvements and the nature of the potential effects provides a measure to determine whether impacts have been minimized among alternatives. Little or no change in noise levels would be expected with implementation of the TSM Alternative. Park-and-ride facilities would be expected to generate additional traffic in the local area. Where traffic volumes would be less than double the existing activity, no significant impacts would occur. Facility design and orientation combined with landscaping and structural noise barriers may be used to mitigate possible noise impacts. The longer LRT alternatives extending to Plano would create more noise impacts, potentially affecting 34 sensitive sites compared to only 20 under the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative. A number of mitigation measures would be available to minimize any adverse noise impacts identified. Available measures include: use of resilient wheels on the LRT vehicle; installation of continuously-welded steel rail; construction of sound barrier walls along the track in noise-sensitive areas; use of train operating speed limitations where needed; and procurement of quieter vehicles. o Parklands -Alternative transportation improvements could adversely affect or impact parklands, recreation areas, historic or cultural sites, scenic areas, or other resources sUbject to section 4(f) review. Each of the build alternatives would affect existing parklands. The TSM Alternative potentially would affect 1 park, the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative potentially would affect 4 parks or open space areas, and the longer LRT alternatives extending service to Plano potentially would affect 5 parks or open space areas. Impact mitigation measures will need to be defined during Preliminary Engineering, respecting any construction activity. and structural designs to be associated with crossing the creek. o Visual/Aesthetic -The number of sensitive visual/aesthetic resources affected by proposed transportation improvements and the nature of the potential effects provides a measure to determine whether impacts have been minimized among alternatives. Few impacts would result from implementing the TSM Alternative. Mitigation measures (such as, landscaping and designing facilities to fit in with the surrounding community) may be employed to minimize potential visual/aesthetic impacts associated with this alternative. ES-19 !I l!< The shorter LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative potentially would affect 11 sensitive sites, while the longer LRT alternatives extending service to Plano would potentially affect 15 sites. Incorporation of mitigation measures into the design of the LRT system would minimize adverse visual impacts. stations and associated facilities can be designed to fit in with the, character of the community or the surrounding neighborhood •. Landscaping can be incorporated into station site' design/layout to increase aesthetic appeal. The visual impacts of the aerial guideway can be reduced by minimizing the size of support columns, maximizing the span lengths between columns, and installing a guideway which is of uniform color and texture. ',. ' Displacements -The number of displaced 􀁲􀁥􀁾􀁩􀁤􀁥􀁮􀁴􀁳􀀯􀁨􀁯􀁭􀁥􀁳 and," businesses provides a measure of the potential impacts on the '. fabric of the community. The TSM Alternative would not create any displacements. The LRT alternatives would require displacement of at least two businesses to make space for proposed station facilities. Federal law provides for the relocation and assistance of residents or businesses 􀁴􀁾􀁡􀁴 may be displaced by Federally funded community infrastructure improvements. The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-646) mandates uniform and equitable treatment of all displaced persons or businesses, inclUding assistance with relocation services. DART would be required to comply with the Federal relocation assistance law in compensating any businesses or residents that may be displaced as a result of the required acquisitions. [L[1riL· 0 IIL rf' fl' 1rL[' o Air Quality -Reductions in automobile and bus emissions, as a function of annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT) indicates the relative improvement of air quality, which is a concern specifically identified in the framework of ISTEA. Any improvement in transportation efficiency will improve air quality. Thus, the TSM Alternative potentially could 􀁲􀁥􀁤􀁵􀁣􀁥􀁾􀀧 vehicle emission by about 0.2 tons per day. The LRT alternatives potentially would reduce vehicle emissions by 0.6 . to one ton per day over the TSM Alternative. 1.4.3 Project Bffectiveness -Bquity Goal Equity criteria focus on the distribution of project effects or impacts across various segments of the'population. The criteria' are defined to determine whether any segment of the study Corridor 's population, when compared to the region's popUlation as', a whole, is (1) paying a disproportionate share of costs or other impacts or (2) receiving a disproportionate share of benefits. In the context of alternatives evaluation, the broadest consideration of equity means to weigh out the degree to which those in the local community bear the impacts of a proposed project (i.e., the costs ES-20 and environmental impacts) compared to those who benefit through the ability to use the services to be provided by the proposed project and, thereby, gain a benefit (i.e., increased mobility, access to jobs, etc.). In the absence of extensive and detailed demographic and economic investigations, this can be ascertained through an examination of changes in the social, economic, and land use patterns of the study corridor, which would bring about opportunities for greater interaction. Table S-l shows that the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would improve accessibility to the greatest number of employment opportunities in the study Corridor. Employment within one mile of transit stations included under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would be more than twice that served by the TSM Alternative. The LRT Arapaho Road Alternative would be less than a 50 percent improvement over the TSM Alternative. The improvement in accessibility to employment opportunities with implementation of the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity would be almost 50 percent better than the TSM Alternative. I ·1 1.4.4 Cost Effectiveness/Pinancial peasibility The elements of cost are very important to any project. Therefore, it is important that the evaluation methodology include weighing the costs of proposed transit improvements in the study Corridor against expected benefits and related impacts. Both short-term capital costs and long-term, continuing operating and maintenance (O&M) costs must be considered. Relating the costs with the benefits of the project, in terms of increased ridership, reveals the cost-effectiveness of proposed alternatives. Finally, the ability to fund both the short-and long-term costs must be evaluated to determine whether the proposed actions are financially feasible. Capital Cost The capital investment required to implement the alternatives, obviously, is a key cost-effectiveness criteria. There are numerous components to project cost for any partiCUlar alternative. Property acquisition usually is a major major component; however, the LRT alternatives incorporate the previously acquired DART/SPRR ROW. Therefore, this cost would be a smaller than usual portion of total project cost for the LRT alternatives. Critical cost components include: civil/structural work associated with facilities (e.g., access ramps to HOV lane, stations, transit centers); vehicles (bus and LRT); signalization and service equipment; and trackwork (LRT only). By definition, only planned and programmed costs would be incurred under the No-Build Alternative. The TSM Alternative would involve capital expenditures for the construction of HOV ramps, transit centers, transit center improvements, and vehicles. The capital ES-21 Ii' i. I rlI1r1fI [rrLIlLl cost associated with the TSM Alternative would be approximately $44.9 million. The capital cost associated with the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative (MaS) would be approximately $215.3 million. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity would require about $50 million more, with an estimated total capital cost of $267.6 million. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative, which calls for "full development"of the complete LRT system to Plano, would be the most expensive, with a total estimated capital cost of $324.1 million. It should be noted that the ultimate cost of the LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate capacity ($333.6 million), which calls for staged implementation of LRT service beyond Arapaho Road, would "be slightly higher than the LRT/Parker Road Alternative. The greater capital cost of staged implementation would result from delaying construction of the full, double track LRT system and various other design and construction factors. Available capital Funding The FY 1993-94 Financial Plan (currently being updated), provides for the funding of capital projects in the five-year period 1996-2001. Available funding for capital projects has been established at $240 to $250 million. Anticipated Federal grant funds account for 60 to 70 percent of the funds available for capital projects. The No-Build Alternative would result in little additional direct financial burden for the community. Standard financing arrangements for replacing facilities and the vehicle fleet would be required. The TSM Alternative would require the purchase of approximately 130 new buses to support expanded express bus service and new construction, as indicated above. The HOV lane proposed for construction in US 75 north of LBJ Freeway has been programmed in the State's highway bUdget for several years. Available capital funding is more than sufficient to cover the cost of the TSM Alternative, which is estimated at $44.9 million. Available capital funding also is sufficient to cover the cost of the LRT/Arapaho Road Road Alternative, estimated at $215.3 million. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative and the LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate capacity would require new capital expenditures exceeding that which is established as available in the FY 1993-94 Financial Plan. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative, the most expensive alternative being considered, would exceed available capital funding by $74 to $84 million. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity, which offers capital savings in the near-term, would require $18 to $28 million more than is available. It should be noted that the ability of DART to implement any build alternative depends on the availability of Federal funds at the time of the grant application and DART's ES-22 ability to incur long-term debt. The updated Financial Plan will reflect the latest assumptions regarding this matter. Annual opera"ting and Hain"tenance (O&HJ Cos"ts The year 2010 O&M costs have been estimated in 1993 constant dollars for each of the alternatives. The total year 2010 O&M costs for the No-Build Alternative have been estimated at approximately $175.4 million. Implementation of the TSM Alternative would increase annual 2010 O&M costs by slightly less than 5% to about $183.6 million. O&M costs of the LRT/Parker Road Alternative ($185.2 million) would add $L 6 million to the TSM Alternative. Both the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity and LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would be less costly to operate than the TSM Alternative at $181. 7 million and $183.0 million, respectively. Cos"t-Effec"tiveness Under current procedures, FTA uses the Cost Per New Rider Index to rate transit projects proposed for Federal funding assistance. The Cost Per New Rider Index is a ratio between (1) the incremental costs of building and operating an alternative and (2) the incremental transit riders attracted to that alternative. The incremental change compares the proposed system of services with that provided by the TSM Alternative. There are two versions of the New Transit Rider Index. The "Total" New Transit Rider Index includes the total annualized capital cost of the project, while the "Federal" New Transit Rider Index includes only the Federally-funded share of the project's annualized capital costs. The "Federal" New Transit Rider Index was computed for the alternatives being considered for the study corridor. The "Federal" New Transit Rider Index for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative was computed at $9.83. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity option yields and index of $11.25. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative yields an index value of close to $12.24. 1.S comparison Of 􀁁􀁬􀁾􀁥􀁲􀁮􀁡􀁾􀁩􀁶􀁥􀁳 The comparison of alternatives involves an examination of the "trade-offs" related with the the choices. In general, trade-offs are the identified relationships among impacts, affected interests, and alternatives. Trade-offs show the effect of making selected changes in alternatives by displaying how an action designed to achieve an effect in one impact area may have implications for other areas as well. For example, LRT alternatives are designed to provide fast travel times and attract new riders, but the facilities are expensive to construct and operate; this affects the financial feasibility of the project. The examination of trade-offs is particularly valuable when an alternative exhibits ES-23 \' I [fr[r1r: 1L strengths and weaknesses in different areas and in differing degrees than other alternatives. The trade-offs analysis provides a basis for decision-makers to weigh the pros and cons of each alternative and, ultimately, determine the desired future course of action. Key Differences Among Al.ternatives o The TSM Alternative would include four transit centers directly served by dedicated Express Bus Routes. The transit centers would have expanded park-and-ride and kiss-and-ride facilities. Direct access to US 75 would be available for each transit center. Expanded park-and-ride and kiss-and-ride would be developed at the LRT Park Lane station. o The LRT/Parker Road Alternative would include eight (8) stations plus a "Special Events" Station in the Plano Downtown area. These stations would be located near or at: Walnut Hill, Royal Lane, LBJ Freeway, Spring Valley, Arapaho Road, Campbell Road, SH 190, 15th Street (Special Events), and Parker Road. Dedicated "circulator" bus service would be established between stations, and "feeder" bus service would be oriented to the LRT stations. rj rr: I' ·t[[Lt ooo The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity would not inclUde the Campbell Road, SH 190, and 15th Street Special Events Stations. These three stations were identified as "low-activity" stations, because travel demand forecasts predicted total activity (Le., boardings plus alightings) would be less than 2,000. During initial screening of potential ridership in the StUdy Corridor, an activity level of 2,000 was considered the minimum acceptable for inclUding a station vicinity in the LRT system. The Parker Road station significantly exceeded the threshold of 2,000 boardings and alightings in all scenarios tested. Therefore, it is considered reasonable to extend LRT service to Parker Road while bypassing the intermediate, poor-performing station vicinities. Dedicated "circula-tor" bus service would be established between stations, and "feeder" bus service would be oriented to the LRT stations. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would add five (5) stations to the LRT Starter System: Walnut Hill, Royal Lane, LBJ Freeway, Spring Valley, Arapaho Road. Predicted activity at the Walnut Hill station is just shy of the 'threshold of 2,000 boardings and alightings. Dedicated "circulator" bus service would be established between stations, and "feeder" bus service would be oriented to the LRT stations. The LRT alternatives potentially could require the removal of the T&NO RR bridge of White Rock Creek, depending on the alignment selected at Royal Lane. ES-24 ooo The LRT alternatives could result in construction activity in the White Rock Creek Greenbelt and floodplain, depending on the alignment selected at Royal Lane. The TSM Alternative would increase transit accessibility through the expansion of traditional express bus commuter services, while the LRT alternatives would increase transit accessibility through an intermodal approach, using a combination of modes (i. e. , bus, express bus, circulator/feeder bUS, and LRT). The base operating headways for allLRT alternatives would be 10 minutes in the Peak Period and 15 minutes in the Off-Peak Period. The LRT/Arapaho Road would not operate north of Arapaho Road in the City of Richardson. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity would operate at 20 minute Peak and 30 minute Off-Peak headways north of Arapaho Road. o The LRT alternatives include the potential for future development of an HOV facility within the DART/SPRR ROW to the extent that the cost of LRT system development is not affected. Affected In'terests o AM and PM commuters to the Dallas CBD would benefit mostly by the implementation of the network of express bus routes proposed under the TSM Alternative, because the need to transfer to LRT service would not exist. o Drivers and service personnel of DART's bus system would benefit more with implementation of the TSM Alternative, because there would be more operating hours. I . rI oo The downtown areas of Richardson and Plano would benefit from the establishment of regular LRT service, connecting to the Dallas CBD and the regional LRT system. The real estate and development interests in the Corridor would be benefitted more by the establishment of permanent LRT service with fixed property investment. Land adjacent the station sites gain slightly in value with permanent transit facilities and services. II. I Assessment Of Choices In general, the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would result in the greatest transportation benefits, considering accessibility, ridership, travel time, and emissions reduction. However, it would carry with it the greatest social and environmental impacts. This alternative would require the largest capital investment, exceeding available capital funds by approximately $74 to $84 million and ES-25 I J[r1r1r "Ir1. fL1[tL resulting in the highest annual O&M costs. The computed value of the "Federal" New Transit Rider Index is $12.24. The TSMAlternative would require the least capital investment, but this alternative's annual O&M costs would be relatively high. No significant social or environmental impacts would be manifest with implementation of this alternative. Accessibility for work or commute trips would be significantly enhanced with implementationof the expanded Express Bus service through four transit centers. But, neither travel time nor accessibility would be improved to a significant degree. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative and the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity would be roughly comparable in terms of benefits and impacts. Because the latter alternative involves extending the LRT service to Parker Road, certain, environmental effects (noise, visual/aesthetic, and parkland impacts) are associated with it that are not associated with the LRT!Arapaho Road Alternative. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate Capacity would require a larger capital investment, exceeding the expected availability of capital funds by $18 to $28 million. On the plus side, the annual O&M costs for this alternative ($6.3 million) would be less than for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative ($7.6 million). The computed Federal cost-effectiveness index for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative is $9.83; this is less than that computed for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity option ($11.25). 1.6 Next steps There are several steps to be completed from this point in order to advance the proposed extension of the LRT system for the North Central corridor, north of Park Lane, into Preliminary Engineering and, ultimately, full implementation. Public Review/Involvement: Several informational meetings will be conducted throughout the study Corridor. These meetings will focus on apprising affected agencies and interested citizens of the contents of,this Evaluation of Alternatives Report and results of the evaluation. The recommended LPA, as determined from the evaluation, will be identified at these meetings. Persons attending the meetings will have the opportunity to comment on or ask questions about the alternatives, the LPA, and/or assessments as to potential' transportation effects or environmental impact. Select: LPA After the pUblic review/involvement activity is completed and comments are received, an LPA will be selected by the DART Board of Directors. Their decision will be based on the findings and ES-26 conclusions documented in this Evaluation of Alternatives Report and other pertinent information that may be deemed critical to selection of the LPA. The Board also will consider comments and concerns raised during public review of the Evaluation of A1ternatives Report, including input from the pUblic, interest groups, and government agencies. The DART Board will forward its decision to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the regional planning body, for action. The NCTCOG will consider the decision of the DART Board and define an appropriate line of action, given the regional transportation planning and development program and available funds. Prepare LPA Report A Locally Preferred Alternative Report will be prepared, following official action by NCTCOG adopting a specific action for transportation improvements in the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane. The LPA Report will provide a description of the preferred technology of the LPA and its alignment, operating plan, estimated costs, and associated financing plan. The LPA Report will be submitted to FTA with a request to initiate Preliminary Engineering and prepare the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the project. This process is intended to provide DART and FTA with the information necessary to assure that any transportation improvement built in the study Corridor represents a wise use of pUblic funds, and that community and environmental impact issues related to its construction and operation are taken into account. EISIEngineeringlDesign FTA approval of the grant application will permit DART to initiate the Preliminary Engineering phase of the project development process. Under the new planning regulations, it is during this phase that the Draft and Final EIS documents will be prepared. The EIS is assembled from information in all areas of technical analysis. The document will provide a detailed description of the LPA, affected environment, expected impacts, and mitigation measures. Implementation of the LPA will be evaluated against doing nothing (Le., a No Build or "No Action" alternative). The DEIS will be circulated for public examination, review, and comment. Specific coordination will be maintained with affected government agency during this review process. Review of the DEIS will be followed by revisions, as necessary to respond to comments received, and preparation of the FEIS. with pUblication of the FEIS and certain other administrative actions on the part of FTA, DART can proceed into Final Engineering/Final Design and then Construction/Implementation phases of project development. ES-27 r'iIrj)< I. ff·•· .. {{' f'".. 1l1"\I Chapter One 1I1TRODUCTION 1.1 Pro1ect Background Organized in 1983, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)· consists of 14 member cities in Dallas, Denton, and Collin counties, forming a 700 square mile service area (Figure 1.1). In June 1989, the DART Board of Directors adopted a Transit System Plan with 66 miles of light rail transit (LRT) , 37 miles of high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) facilities and 18 miles of commuter rail (Figure 1.2). Twelve transportation corridors were identified during the development of the Transit System Plan. 1 Nine of the corridors are radial in nature and focus on the Dallas Central Business District (CBD). The other three corridors are circumferential and are associated with non-CBD travel patterns in the northern portion of DART's service area. One of the nine radial corridors is the North Central Corridor, which covers portions of the cities of Dallas, Richardson, and Plano. The system planning effort was a comprehensive process that included the identification of logical travel corridors, development of alternatives designed to address the problems of each corridor, technical analysis of each set of alternatives, and intensive public involvement. Construction has begun on DART's first 20 miles of the LRT "Starter System." DART's LRT Starter System is divided into three "lines" plus a downtown transitway mall in the CBD (Figure 1.3). o The South Oak Cliff Line will connect Ledbetter Road to the CBD. o The West Oak Cliff Line will be constructed from Westmoreland Road to just south of the Trinity River bridge, near Corinth Street where it joins the South Oak Cliff Line and enters doWntown. o The North Central Line will connect Park Lane in the northeast to the CBD. o In the Dallas CBD, LRT service from/to these three lines will operate on a transitway mall to be constructed, along Bryan Street and Pacific Avenue. The Fixed Guideway Implementation Schedule, also adopted by the Board as part of the Transit System Plan, calls for DART's LRT Starter System to be completed in 1996. Alternative transportation System Plan Mobility Needs Assessment, October, 1988. 1 DART SERVICE AREA SOURCE: Scoplng Information, October, 1992. 2 \l Figure 1.1 rr--.-I[rf1l _ TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN I !i LEGEND I I I COMMUTER RAIL LINE •••• HOY TRANSITWAY -_.LIGHT RAIL STARTER SYSTEM (199&) ••••• LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM (1997-2005) :J C C C C C LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM (POST 2005) SOURCE: Scopln Information, October, 1992. 3 ,,"􀁾􀁜Ii /./􀁾....._.,/L ......., . ............. Figure 1.2 LIGHT RAIL STARTER SYSTEM SOURCE: Scoplng Information, October, 1992. I!\ [: 4 Figure 1.3 rrfrrIj" l improvements for the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane (referred to hereinafter as the "study Corridor"), are the subject of this report. Scope Of Study The study Corridor is a loosely defined geographic area that represents the travelshed for most trips that would use the alternative transportation improvements being considered (Figure 1.4). The North Central Line of DART's LRT starter System, when completed in 1996, will extend to an interim terminal station at Park Lane at the south end of the study Corridor. Therefore, continuing planning and engineering studies are focused on that portion of the North Central Corridor that is north of Park Lane. The Study Corridor begins at the Park Lane station and' extends northward to Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, a distance of approximately 13 miles. The Study Corridor, includes portions of three cities: Dallas, Richardson, and Plano. The study of alternative transportation improvements for the Study Corridor involves several steps in the project development process of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). DART's Scoping Information document published October, 1992, 􀁾􀁲􀁯􀁶􀁩􀁤􀁥􀁳 a succinct summary of FTA's project development process. The FTA project development process is designed to aid in the selection and implementation of the best transit solutions for transportation corridor mobility problems. This sequential process facilitates the selection of transit solutions that: • Achieve mobility goals while minimizing social, economic, and environmental impacts; • Increase transit use and reduce travel times at a reasonable cost; The first phase of the process--system planning--was completed in June, 1989, when the Transit System Plan was adopted by the DART • Have a fair distribution of costs and benefits; and • Are publicly acceptable. The process includes definition of an overall system of improvements for the DART Service Area. By following the process, local transit providers are gu;ded in advancing alternatives from a low level of design to very specific designs and identification of environmental impacts. Scoplng InformatIon, October, 1992, Alternatives AnalysiS/Draft Environmental Impact Statement, North central Corridor, North Of Park Lane, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration and Dallas Area Rapid Transit. 5 2 ir1L1It[ NORTH CENTRAL CORRIDOR • NORTH OF PARK LANE ................. ....... SOURCE: Scoplng Information, October, 1992. 6 STLCSWFigure 1.4 [" i JrrLr t[\,[ . r1 11' L1r[: r, Board of Directors. since that time, a series of studies has been undertaken to establish the detailed planning and engineering knowledge necessary for implementation of projects identified therein. As noted "above, construction of the LRT starter System is underway, with operations to begin in late 1996. Improvements now are being addressed in the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane, and the Northeast (Garland) Corridor. Borth Central corridor, north of Park Lane, AA/DBIS Beyond development and adoption of the Transit System Plan and implementation of the LRT Starter System, DART has 􀁾􀁥􀁴 additional priorities for development of the plan's elements. The resolution adopting the Transit System Plan calls for the concurrent implementation of LRT service in the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane and the Northeast Corridor by the year 2001. The DART Board of Directors adopted a subsequent resolution March 24, 1992, selecting the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane, as the priority corridor for extending the LRT Starter System. DART intends to seek a capital grant from FTA to assist in funding an extension of the LRT system. To be eligible for a grant, DART must meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by satisfying regulations and guidelines established by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and FTA. These regulations and guidelines require that reasonable and feasible alternative solutions to transportation problems be evaluated and their associated environmental impacts be thoroughly assessed. In addition, FTA must determine that a locally preferred alternative (LPA) is cost-effective before it can be eligible for Federal funding. Therefore, the DART Board, in cooperation with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and FTA, initiated the second phase of the project development process--a study officially designated as the "North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane " Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (AA/DEIS). n The purpose of DART I s AA/DEIS study was to provide" a basis for selecting the most appropriate transportation improvement for the Study Corridor. The AA/DEIS study was being conducted in accordance with CEQ "Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended" (40 CFR Part 1500, and FTA "Environmental Impact and Related Procedures" (49 CFR Part 622). Six major steps had been defined to be performed in progression, leading from consideration of a wide range of possible alternatives (at the start of scoping) to the selection of an Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). Intermodal Surface Transportation Bfficiency Act (ISTEA) Subsequent to initiation of the AA/DEIS study, the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed into law the Intermodal Surface 7 Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). 3 This Federal legislation caused FTA, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to change the manner in which the project development process unfolds. This section summarizes the ISTEA legislation and regulations promulgated to implement the Act's requirements. It also discusses the Act's effects on DART's AA/DEIS study efforts and the manner in Which DART is adjusting those efforts to meet the new requirements. ISTEA established new Federal policy regarding the development, evaluation, and implementation of solutions to transportation problems in the country's major metropolitan areas. In response to ISTEA, FTA and FHWA promulgated Joint Planning Regulations "governing the development of statewide plans and programs...4 Implementation of these regulations is intended to "ensure the adequacy of statewide and metropolitan· (emphasis added) transportation planning and programming and the eligibility of metropolitan areas and state for Federal highway and transit funds. ,,5 The new regulations change the project development process for major transportation investment projects, especially transit projects being developed under the sponsorship of FTA. The new regulations establish a framework for performing "major investment (corridor or subarea) studies, [Which] shall be undertaken to develop or refine the [local transportation] plan and lead to decisions by the MPO, in cooperation with participating agencies, on the design concept and scope of the investment. tt6 FTA, by initiating this new planning approach, is now allowing potential grant recipients to define and identify an LPA without direct supervision. Potential projects coming out of the regional comprehensive planning process will be refined and evaluated at the local level. Nevertheless, guidelines will be promulgated to assist local agencies in managing this new stUdy approach. Implementation of this new framework for planning requires extensive, coordinated agency action and seeks to guide communities in the development of "multimodal" solutions to regional mobility problems as contemplated under ISTEA. Integrated environmental analyses must be conducted as well as modal trade-off analyses. Effective cooperation and coordination with the many diverse interest groups becomes vitally important during the evaluation of { ·1.· !" 3456 Public Law 102·240, 105 Statute 1914. "Statewide Planning; Metropolitan Planning," Final Rules, 23 CFR Part 450, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and 49 CFR Part 613. Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Register, Vol. 58, No. 207, Thursday, October 28, 1993, p. 58040. Ibid. Ibid. 8 f,rr: fL, rrt[; alternatives and development of a consensus plan, i.e., adoption of the LPA. The AA/DElS study undertaken for the study Corridor was designed and organized to provide detailed examination, comparison, and evaluation of transportation alternatives in accordance with a comprehensive set of factors. These factors included environmental impacts, ridership forecasts, capital cost, operating and maintenance cost, economic and cost-effectiveness considerations. The factors were defined to determine how well each alternative achieved regional transportation goals and objectives. Performance with respect to the regional transportation goals and objectives was expected to play a major role in the selection of the LPA at the conclusion of the study. Given changes in the Federal policy regarding the .,planning and programming of transportation improvement projects, FTA modified its project development process, eliminating the AA/DElS phase. FTA has permitted local communities to adopt for on-going projects the new approach defined above as a "major investment (corridor or subarea) study." The work activities relating to the AA/DElS study, which narrowly focused on transit solutions, have been revised in response to changes in Federal policy regarding the planning and programming of major transportation investment projects. The new "Corridor Planning study" focuses on evaluating multimodal transportation solutions for the study Corridor. The reorientation of the study focus means temporarily suspending preparation of the AA/DElS document in favor of a more direct, but less detailed "Evaluation of Alternatives Report," which identifies key trade-offs among potential modal solutions. Draft and Final ElS documents will be prepared subsequent to this activity, during Preliminary Engineering (PE) of the LPA. 1.2 Purpose Of Evaluation Of Alternatives Report This Evaluation of Alternatives Report is intended to assist community decision-makers in the selection of an LPA for the study Corridor. The selection of the the LPA will include definition of the design concept and scope of the proposed investment. The LPA will be carried into Preliminary Engineering for more detailed definition, examination, and analysis. Physical, operating, environmental, and cost aspects of the LPA will be examined in detail during the Preliminary Engineering phase. As noted above, detailed environmental studies, inclUding the ident.ification of mitigation measures, will be fully documented during Preliminary Engineering, and the DElS and FElS will be prepared •.... All aspects of the transportation infrastructure in the study Corridor will be reviewed. . The five major components of the purpose and structure of this Evaluation of Alternatives Report are outlined below. 9 o Bstablish Purpose and Meed for project This Evaluation of Alternatives Report is intended to (1) provide adequate understanding of the purpose for a major investment in transportation improvements in the study Corridor and (2) establish the need for proposed improvements. A summary of the project's purpose and need is provided in Chapter 2. o Description Of Alternatives This Evaluation of Alternatives Report contains descriptions or definitions of the alternatives being considered. The definitions of alternatives are those formulated to date through previous efforts associated with the AAIDEIS study. Alternatives being considered within the framework of this Evaluation of Alternatives Report include: a No Build Alternative (i.e., no improvement action undertaken), a Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative, and two Light Rail Transit (LRT) Alternatives. Chapter 3 presents descriptions of these alternatives. o Comparison Of Alternatives This Evaluation of Alternatives Report provides a comparison comparison of the transit improvement alternatives proposed for the Study Corridor. In Chapter 4, the evaluation process is outlined, existing conditions affected by the alternatives are summarized, potentially significant environmental impacts are noted, and other considerations weighing on the selection of an LPA are presented. o Decision Pramework Chapter 5 of this Evaluation Report presents a comparative analysis of the trade-offs among alternatives, focusing on similarities, differences, and affected interests. community input and the evaluation of potential impacts is an important part of this project. Information for both of these sources will help ensure that significant social and environmental consequences are considered within an integrated decision-making process. o Action Document After pUblic review of this document, the DART Board of Directors will consider the proposed improvements for the study Corridor. Their decision will be forwarded for action to the MPO, which is the regional transportation planning and policy body, for approval and adoption as part of the regional transportation improvement program (TIP). The process for effecting project implementation is outlined in Chapter 6. 10 (((iI I[{If.co ., l.L{L r' lIl1l(.•...•􀁾.. "L Chapter Two PURPOSB AND BEED The study Corridor currently is served by two major freeways, an extensive grid system of streets and arterials, and a bus system that operates daily in mixed traffic on city streets. Despite the existing transportation infrastructure and planned improvements, significant traffic congestion is anticipated to occur in the study Corridor between now and the year 2010. Major increases in traffic are projected between now and 2010 along us 75, the major north-south freeway in this radial travel corridor. The expected traffic increase reflects projected growth in ,residential, commercial, and industrial development throughout the study Corridor, especially in the cities of Richardson and Plano. In addition, congestion delays are anticipated on many of the arterials. Most arterials are expected to operate at traffic levels of service (LOS) E or F by the year 2010. Consequently, a number of goals have been established by the DART Board of Directors for transportation improvements in the study Corridor. These goals focus on the need to improve transit service throughout the Study Corridor, minimize the environmental impacts of these improvements, and promote an equitable use of resources. The purpose and goals of proposed transportation improvement alternatives, as outlined by the DART Board, are: • Optimize pUblic investment; • Increase transit usage within the corridor; • Integrate DART services to provide a high level of mobility to people throughout the DART Service Area in a manner that will offer convenience and safety; • Reduce congestion on corridor freeways and arterials; • Minimize adverse impacts to the natural, built, and. social environments; and • Reduce transportation-related energy consUmption and resultant air pollution. 2.1 Specific Transportation Problems In The Study Corridor The 1992 Transportation Improvement Program for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area (NCTCOG, 1992), also known as the TIP, identifies all of the State and local street improvements that are programmed for construction within the next five years,' or proposed for the next 20 years. The roadway improvement plans for the study Corridor in the TIP will provide some additional traffic-carrying capability to respond to the projected population and employment growth. For example, widening the North Central Expressway (US 75) will add capacity to carry an additional 120,000 vehicles per day. 11 Table 2.1 presents 1990 and 2010 traffic volumes and volume-to-capacity (VIC) ratios7 for US 75 and the other freeways within the study Corridor. The table indicates the heaviest average daily traffic (ADT) volumes along us 75 (240,000) will occur between IH-635 and Arapaho Road in Richardson. However, the most significant increase in ACT volumes along us 75 (91%) is expected to occur between Arapaho Road in Richardson and Parker Road in Plano. This increase in traffic reflects the anticipated growth in residential, commercial, and industrial development throughout the study corridor, especially in Richardson and Plano. Table 2.1 FRBEWAY 'l'RU'PXC COHDXTXOBS XB BORTBBRJ1 COIUUDOR 1990 2010 Location mra V/Cb mra V/Cb Incr•••• , Incr.a•• lorth central (US 75) Northwest Highway -IH 635 133.5 >.9 180 >.9 46.5 351 IH635 -Arapaho 135 >.9 240 >.9 105 78X Arapaho -Parker 97 .8->.9 185 >.9 88 911 LB.I Freeww UH 615) Preston -US 75 197 >.9 261 <.8->.9 64 32X US 75 -Abrams 182 .8->.9 244 .8->.9 62 341 Abrams -Skillman Skillman 170 .8->.9 213 .8->.9 43 251 SH190Freeww Preston -AT&SF Railroad NIA --12 <.8->.9 ----AT&SF Railroad -US 75 NIA --83 >.9 ----US 75 -Shiloh NIA --63 >.9 ----• ADT -Average Daily Traffic Volumes (in thousands) b VIC -Volume-to-Capecity Ratio So&rce: North Central Texas Council of Governments A one-way, reversible HOV lane is programmed in the TIP for implementation on us 75; and two-way, concurrent flow HOV lanes are programmed for IH 635. No other transit-related improvements currently are committed for implementation in the study Corridor. Table 2.1 indicates the freeway VI C ratios will be greater than 0.9 in some locations, reflecting an unacceptable Level of Service (LOS) liE." ThUS, unacceptable VIC ratios are expected in spite of iI I, 7 Ratio of roadway vOlume to roadway capacity for a specific time period. 12 )I" [rI[r[rrrI[{L the fact that designs for the widening project on US 75 assumed extension of LRT starter System to Plano. Should the LRT Starter System not be extended beyond Park Lane, the ability of the freeway to accommodate the anticipated demand would be reduced further. congestion delays can be expected on many of the arterials in the Study Corridor. As indicated in Table 2.2, NCTCOG has determined that most arterials in the Study Corridor are expected to operate at VIc ratios of greater than 0.9 by 2010. The projected VIC ratios reflect unacceptable traffic operating conditions by local and national standards. Table 2.2 ARTER:IAL TRAPP:IC COI1D:IT:IOBS :IB BORTBBRIJ. CORR:IDOR 1990 2010 Arterial Location AW 􀁖􀀯􀁾 AW 􀁖􀀯􀁾 Northwest Highway Preston -Audelia 41-73 >.9 34-73 >.9 Skillman Northwest Highway -Plano 28-75 >.9 29-85 >.9 Coit LBJ Freeway • Plano Parkway 30-85 <.8->.9 23-84 >.9 Preston Northwest Highway -Spring Creek 14-60 <.8->.9 6-18 <.8->.9 Parkway Bel t Line Jupi ter -Preston 27-52 .8->.9 11-47 <.8->.9 Alexis Preston -Belt Line NIA --2 <.8 Polk Central -Frances NIA --4-9 <.8 \laloot Hil l Preston -Audelia NIA --12-51 <.8->.9 • ADT -Average Daily Traffic Volumes (in thousands) b VIC -Volume-to-Capacity Ratio Scu'ce: North Central Texas Council of Governments The above-described transportation system characteristics and improvement plans form the basis for examination of a number of problems that represent the underlying need for consideration of additional transportation improvements in the StUdy Corridor. These problems are highlighted below. o Peak Hour conqestion on StUdy Corridor Preeways and Arterial Roads :Increases Travel Times and Delays Tables 2.1 and 2.2 􀁣􀁬􀁥􀁡􀁾􀁬􀁹 indicate that, even with the improvements contained 1n the TIP, certain· sections of freeways and arterials still will experience unacceptable levels of congestion (LOS E or worse). These congestion levels adversely affect mobility and the overall quality of life of area citizens. 13 o Limitations of EXisting DART Bus system Reduce Opportunitie. to Heet Travel Demands of EXisting and prospective Ridership, Bspecially Reverse-colUlute Trips to Employment centers in study Corridor Limitations on the existing DART bus system creates an inequity in the distribution of service. Equity can be defined as the fairness of the distribution of transit costs, benefits, and impacts across various population subgroups. Fairness does not necessarily mean that all subgroups are equally affected. Rather, fairness is determined by the extent to which the costs and impacts of transit service are distributed in a way that is consistent with the community's goals. Data from NCTCOG indicate that the trend in the distribution of employment within the Dallas metropolitan area has been movement toward the north. Most of the metropolitan area's major employment centers are located either inside or north of the Dallas CBD. On the other hand, NCTCOG has determined that approximately 43 percent of the working residents in the highly transit dependent area of southern Dallas are working in or north of the CBD. Limited accessibility to employment centers in the study Corridor reduces employment opportunities for workers living in the south portion of the larger North Central Corridor as well as other portions of the DART service Area. o Existing Land Use Development Prevents Host Major Roadway Facilities in study Corridor from being Widened Limitations on existing roadway right-of-way (ROW), especially with respect to us 7S--the North Central Expressway, prevent the addition of travel lanes that could increase capacity and reduce congestion. Existing and planned development in the study Corridor utilizes all available property outside of the roadway ROW. Therefore, when the freeway and arterial widening projects identified in the TIP are completed, there will be almost no vacant ROW available for further roadway expansion. o Unacceptable Air Quality The Dallas region is in a moderate non-attainment status for ozone (03). The level of 03 , carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxides (NOx )' and hydrocarbon (HC) pollutants is expected to be reduced in the study Corridor through a combination of planned transportation improvements and technological advances in the reduction of vehicle emissions. Notwithstanding expectations of reduced pollutants levels, the moderate non-attainment status dictates that attention be given to 14 ). I, fr[[ further transportation improvements capable of reducing ADT volumes and associated vehicle emissions. 2.2 The Need Por Transportation Xmprovements The specific transportation problems outlined above suggest the need to effect transportation improvements to (1) meet anticipated demand of the traveling pUblic in the study Corridor and (2) ameliorate other travel-related problems. Three primary needs for major transportation investments are summarized below. ILrI f' fLf[lL ooo Xmprove Mobility 9ne of the basic needs within a community is mobility for its citizens. without mobility, workers are limited in job opportunities, and unproductive time is spent in traveling from one point to another. Significant shifts in the location of jobs within the Dallas metropolitan area have affected accessibility to employment opportunities for many workers. Changes and improvements to the transportation system are necessary to maintain vital, day-to-day social and economic interactions. Reduce Traffic conqestion Limitations on the capacity of existing streets and highways and the ROW available for increasing capacity has created and will magnify congestion delays. Even with the on-going widening of US 75 in the StUdy Corridor and other planned improvements identified in the TIP, additional capacity and/or service will be needed to achieve acceptable mobility conditions. Xncrease People-Carryinq capacity As noted above, most freeways and thoroughfares in the StUdy Corridor cannot be widened to provide more capacity, because existing ROW is severely limited. Therefore, DART needs to consider transit improvements that can provide increased "people-carrying" capacity within the current physical constraints posed by the existing and planned development pattern. Extension of the North Central Line of the LRT Starter System can provide this needed additional "people-carrying" capacity by utilizing surplUS railroad ROW. 15 iI )ii i-II ffr[r Chapter Three DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES Alternatives being considered for implementation in the study Corridor include a No-Build Alternative, a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative, and two LRT alternatives. This chapter provides a description of each of the alternative transportation improvements being studied. The descriptions identify the physical qualities of the service proposed and a summary of the operating plan. Detailed definitions of eaclS alternative may be found in the Definition of Alternatives Report. 3.1 Range Of Alternatives Considered Five conceptual alternatives were established to generate discussion and comments during Project Scoping conducted in the spring of 1992. The alternatives ranged from doing nothing, referred to as the "No-Build" Alternative, to extension of the LRT Starter System as far as the City of Plano at Parker Road, referred to as the LRT/Parker Road Alternative. The No-Build Alternative was defined to include all projects already underway or programmed for implementation, i.e., ROV lanes on LBJ Freeway and US 75 north of LBJ Freeway, roadway improvements in the Study corridor, and construction of the LRT Starter System to Park Lane. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative, as defined, included all the projects of the No-Build Alternative and added to this base the extension of the LRT Starter System to Plano. These two alternatives effectively bound the opportunities for providing advanced transit services in the North Central corridor, north of Park Lane. Beyond doing nothing, but short of extending the LRT Starter System to Plano, opportunities were defined for providing a lower level of LRT service or a different type of transit service. A second LRT alternative was defined to establish the minimum extent to which LRT service could be extended and still be operationally feasible. The Minimum Operable Segment (MOS) is the shortest extension of the LRT Starter System that would preserve the greatest amount of ridership while reducing construction costs and (in some cases) environmental impacts. That is to say, it is the minimum operable "new" segment that can be constructed and operated in a cost-effective manner. Definition of the MOS resulted in an alternative calling for extension of the LRT Starter System to the City of Richardson at Arapaho Road, referred to as the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative. LrLI1L[ 8 Definition of Alternatives. Corridor Planning Study, North Central Corridor, North of Park Lane, March, 1994, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration and Dallas Area Rapid Transit. 16 FTA requires consideration of at least one Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative. Compared to some fixed guideway alternatives, TSM alternatives can be relatively low cost approaches to addressing transportation problems. They also provide a baseline against which the cost-effectiveness of other more capital intensive alternatives may be evaluated. Two TSM alternatives initially were defined. The TSM-NC HOV Alternative called for constructing two one-way concurrent flow HOV lanes in the median of the North Central Expressway (US 75) south of LBJ Freeway. The two HOV lanes would augment the HOV lanes programmed for construction on US 75 north of LBJ Freeway and on LBJ Freeway. The TSM-SP HOV Alternative, in contrast, called for construction of a two lane, two-way, concurrent flow HOV facility in the DART/SPRR ROW. This facility would originate at the LRT Park Lane Station and terminate at the East Plano Transit center near Parker Road. The initial screening of these alternatives led to the definition of less ambitious TSM objectives and a TSM Alternative without additional major HOV facilities south of LBJ Freeway. The screening of possibilities for LRT service led to the definition of an optional approach for development of LRT service. Under the LRT/parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity, the LRT Starter System would be extended to Plano; however, in the initial phase there would be no stations between Arapaho and Parker Roads and only single-track operations (where possible). The No-Build, LRT/Parker Road, and LRT/Arapaho Road Alternatives remained essentially unchanged after the initial screening. It was decided to include in the definition of all LRT alternatives the option to reserve part of the DART/SPRR ROW for potential future construction of an HOV facility, provide the cost of developing the LRT system was not affected. This incorporated the key element of the TSM-SP Alternative, leaving a single TSM Alternative focused on the US 75. Descriptions of the final set of five alternatives proposed for evaluation and selection of an LPA are provided in the following sections. 3.2 No-Build Alternative The No-Build Alternative is examined to determine the impact of not introducing transit improvements to the North central corridor, north of Park Lane. Evaluation of the No-Build Alternative also aids in the consideration of whether benefits to be derived from transit improvements are worth the social, economic, and environmental impacts and the associated mitigation costs. Evaluation of the No-Build Alternative is part of the environmental review process and must be given full consideration. The No-Build Alternative includes only those ; facilities and services in the stUdy Corridor that either already exist or are included in the 1992 TIP and committed for construction. Major 17 II I I.. NO-BUILD ALTERNATIVE LEGEND Figure 3.1 -LRT Starter System • Transit Center /LRT Station 1111111 Committed HOV Lane 18 I 􀁜􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀺􀁓􀁐􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀮􀁒􀀻􀀻􀀻􀀮􀀻􀁉􀁎􀁇􀀽􀀽􀁃􀁒􀁾􀁅􀀽􀁅􀁋􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀮 􀁐􀀮􀀮􀀺􀀮􀀺􀀮􀁋􀁗􀁙􀀮􀀺􀁲􀀭􀀮__-+ -􀁾.........._-..._-J \ Source. DeIlnllan aI􀁾March 1ll94. F' lrlIrr(L[[LL transit capital improvements programmed for the Study Corridor under the No-Build Alternative are shown in Figure 3.1. Programmed improvements include: o A one way, reversible HOV lane on the North Central Expressway (US 75) from Parker Road to the LBJ Freeway (IH 635); oo Two way, concurrent operation HOV lanes on the LBJ Freeway from Valley View Lane (proposed SH 161) to East R.L. Thornton Freeway (IH 30); The North Central Line of DART's 20-mile LRT Starter System to Park Lane. II" The definition of the No-Build Alternative includes: express bus service; local, feeder, and crosstown bus service; and rail transit services (commuter and LRT) already committed to by the DART Board of Directors. Committed DART projects outside the Study Corridor include the other lines of the LRT Starter System and commuter rail from Union station in Dallas to the transit centers at South Irving and Dallas/Fort Worth (D/FW) International Airport. This overall definition of transit services, as well as the committed highway network, are held constant among all the alternatives. The bus operating plan for the No-Build Alternative in the Study Corridor represents the bus service expected to be provided in year 2010. No major changes from the FY 92 service levels have been made. It is expected that some small changes will involve the reassignment of vehicles between routes to balance service supplied with demand loads. These changes may include reassignment of buses to relieve routes that are currently experiencing heavy peak load conditions. The bus operating plan for the No-Build Alternative in the Study Corridor assumes that the current level of bus transit service will increase as the population increases. Accordingly, an increase in vehicle miles of transit service is assumed. A result of this assumption is a decrease in transit schedule adherence, because lower operating speeds will be associated with increased traffic congestion in the future. The No-Build Alternative also assumes continuation of the CBD-oriented, radial bus bus transit service currently operated by DART. Guidelines derived from service standard policies adopted by the DART Board of Directors for establishing improved bus service are incorporated in the definition of the No-Build Alternative. These guidelines are as follows: o Continue to provide service to all areas currently receiving bus transit service; o Expand service consistent with DART's existing policy of servicing new demand; 19 [" r: l[r' l_ L: lt[[" rL[lt[ o Maintain existing service standards and provide more frequent service to the extent warranted by increased ridership; o Add direct bus service to study corridor and non-corridor major employment areas, with service originating from the transit centers; and o Provide connecting bus service to the North Central Line of the LRT Starter System. Details regarding changes in bus routing and schedules may be found in Chapter Three, Definition of Alternatives Report. 3.3 TSM Alternative The TSM Alternative represents an alternative that seeks to (1) enhance, to the greatest degree practicable, existing and available transit services in the Study Corridor and (2) augment programmed improvements to maximize the operational capabilities and efficiency of regular bus and express bus services now in place. Bus Transit System Generally, the TSM alternative emphasizes upgrading bus transit service in the Study corridor through operational and minor physical improvements. Bus transit service service improvements would be complimented by roadway improvements that enhance bus operations. These improvements would include: (1) operational and minor physical improvements, (2) selected intersection improvements, (3) limited street widenings, and (4) other focused traffic engineering actions. DART would continue to provide Local Assistance Program (LAP) funds on an annual basis to member cities in the Study Corridor for improvements that enhance bus operations. The bus service policies listed for the No-Build Alternatives are applicable to the TSM Alternative. This alternative builds on the reversible HOV lane committed for construction on the North Central Expressway north' of the LBJ Freeway (Figure 3.2). Bus access to the North Central Park-and-Ride (P&R) facility, south of LBJ Freeway, would be improved. Further, it is proposed that direct access ramps to the HOV lanes be constructed at three transit center locations: • North of Arapaho Road near the Richardson Transit Center; • South of SH 190 near the proposed SH 190 Transit center; and • North of Park Boulevard at the East Plano Transit Center. 20 TSM ALTERNATIVEI SPRING CREEK PKWY. PARKER RD. AT&SF R.R. Source: DeI1nllon 01 Alematha. March 1994. 21 BUCKINGHAM RD. W. WALNUT ST. LEGEND 1111111 Committed HOV Lane -LRT Starter System • Transit Center I LRT Station o Proposed Transit Center Shuttle Service Area Figure 3.2 iII rr [tr rr: [. L[[L[ These new ramps would permit express buses to enter and exit the HOV lane and support expansion of express bus service in the study Corridor. The additional express bus service would provide direct access to/from downtown Dallas for patrons using the transit centers. The TSM Alternative also calls for new or enhanced user facilities. These facilities would include: a new transit center to be located near the proposed SH 190 Freeway; improvement of the existing transit center at the North Central P&R facility; and expansion of the Park Lane station P&R facility to permanently accommodate "end-of-the-line" parking. The Park Lane station currently is designed only to serve interim demand, on the assumption that the LRT North Central Line will be extended north of Park Lane. The proposed new access ramps to the us 75 HOV lane would be constructed in lieu of extending the LRT North Central Line north of Park Lane. The 2010 bus operating plan assumed for the TSM Alternative includes all local, local, radial limited, crosstown, and circulator service included in and as defined for the No-Build Alternative. The TSM Alternative assumes, in addition, initiation of seven more express routes and bus circulator routes. Nine new express routes, operating via us 75, would be inaugurated to take advantage of the new direct access ramps to the HOV lane (Figure 3.3). Existing Express Routes 200 and 201 would be dropped, because they duplicate portions of the nine new express routes. The proposed new express routes, designated "A" through "I," would augment service provided by the LRT North Central Line that would terminate at the Park Lane station. circulator route service would operate between the transit centers and major employment areas within the study Corridor. The new circulator route service would improve the reverse-direction commute for employees working in the study Corridor and residing in other parts of or outside the study Corridor. This service generally would operate on short headways for distances of one to three miles around the three bus transit centers and the Park Lane LRT station (refer to Figure 3.2). This would provide" service to a majority of the employment opportunities beyond an acceptable walking distance of the bus transfer facilities. No new bus maintenance facilities would be necessary as a result of the improved bus service. An allowance for maintenance activity related to adding buses at existing facilities is included as part of this alternative. service frequencies would be increased to provide a level of bus transit serV1ce considered necessary to satisfy changes in trip-making patterns (e.g., to locations where new jobs are located) and trip volumes between now and the year 2010. As with 22 "TUFA-A. I SPRING CREEK PKW'f. IWV LRT Station Vicinity PARKER ROAD STATION EAST PLANO TRANSIT CENTER PARKER RD. cl II: mII) G I SPRING CREEK PKWY. ATUFR.R. rIl[, r[lL ..[".."' ['"01 Source: DeIInlian at All8m8l'-, March ll1lM. 28 Figure 3.5 ridership impacts associated with the decision initially to provide a minimal level of service beyond Richardson. It reflects the objective of DART to establish LRT service to Plano, while recognizing DART's responsibility for developing the full regional LRT network defined in the Transit System Plan. This option also recognizes that the forecast 􀁲􀁩􀁤􀁾􀁲􀁳􀁨􀁩􀁰 at intermediate stations (Campbell Road, SH 190, and 15t Street) would be lower with increased LRT operating headways north of Arapaho Road. Developing the LRT/Parker Road Alternative in stages would permit financial resources available to DART to be directed toward the development of other LRT segments, such as the Garland Line. [ LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative, also referred to as the MOS, would extend the LRT Starter System only 6.8 miles (Figure 3.6). This LRT alternative would have an identical alignment and station configuration as the LRT/Parker Road Alternative up to Richardson. Service would terminate at Arapaho Road after crossing over Arapaho Road. Because this alternative is shorter than the LRT/Parker Road Alternative, there would be only five additional stations beyond the Park Lane Station. Feeder bus service would operate to/from the East Plano Transit Center and other areas to the north. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative operating plan would be similar to the LRT/Parker Road Alternative, because the operating segment between Park Lane and Arapaho Road is common to both (refer to Table 3.1). The plan assumes an ultimate peak-hour headway of 10 minutes and an off-peak headway of 15 minutes. The LRT system would operate on double track guideway at a maximum operating speed of 55 miles per hour and have an average low-level platform station dwell time of 30 seconds. The estimated average operating speed between stations is based on LRT acceleration and deceleration rates (3.0 mph/second and 3.5 mph/second, respectively), scheduled station dwell time, and the distance between stations. Generally, two-car trains would operate most of the day, with some three-car trains in the peak periods and single-car trains in the evenings. station Vicinities The list of possible vicinities for the location of LRT stations was developed by DART based on projected demand for fixed guideway transit service derived from patronage forecasts prepared by DART and NCTCOG. Optional LRT station sites have been established in the station vicinities identified for the LRT alternatives. sites have been located within the limits of the recommended station vicinities through application of a comprehensive analysis process. Station platforms would be either at-grade or elevated, depending on the vertical alignment of the LRT tracks within the station vicinities. 29 III l Ii, [ LRT/ARAPAHO ROAD ALTERNATIVE [iLL[[ ATISFR.R. I SPRING CREEK PKWY. PARKER RD. dII: ! R,EN,NER RD. \ \ ,,,, LEGEND 1IIIIIIIIIn ProDOsed Ught Rail Transit (Dolble Track) ... 1... Committed HOV Lane -LRT Starter System • Transit Center /LRT Station <:::ED LRT Station Vicinity L SOUlC8: DeIIn.1on 01 AIlernalMls, MaR:h 1ll94. 30 Figure 3.6 In some cases, alternative vertical and horizontal alignments of the tracks have been considered. Summary descriptions of the alternative station vicinities are provided below (see Figures 3.4, 3.5, & 3.6). Detailed descriptions of station vicinities are available in Definition of Alternatives Report. Ii o Park Lane Station -The Park Lane station initially would be located directly south of Park Lane. This location would provide an at-grade, interim station for the LRT starter System. When the LRT Starter System is extended north of Park Lane, the permanent station would be constructed as an aerial station above or directly north of Yark Lane. Primarily a commuter station for residential areas east and west of North Central Expressway, the Park Lane Station also would serve nearby commercial areas and activity centers, notably: North Park Shopping Center, Caruth Plaza Shopping Center, and North Park East Office Complex. Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road, LRT/Arapaho Road, and LRT/Parker Road -Intermediate capacity. Ito-Build and TSII Alternatives would require construction of a permanent Park Lane Station. riI oo Walnut Hill station -There are three potential sites for the Walnut Hill Station. The Walnut Hill station would be at-grade directly north or south of Walnut Hill Lane or above Walnut Hill Lane as part of the aerial guideway. primarily a commuter station, the Walnut Hill Station also would serve nearby commercial areas and activity centers, notably: Walnut Glen Tower, Presbyterian Hospital, Walnut Place Nursing Home. Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road, LRT/Arapaho Road, and LRT/Parker Road -Intermediate capacity. Royal Lane Station -This station would be located directly north or south of Royal Lane or immediately south of Forest Lane. The Royal Lane Station is a potential commuter station, which would serve residential areas east and west of North Central Expressway. The Royal Lane Station also would serve nearby activity centers, notably: The Forest Park Office Complex, Royal Oaks Country Club, and Medical city Hospital. Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road, LRT/Arapaho Road, and LRT/parker Road -Intermediate capacity. o LBJ Station -The LBJ Station would be located directly north or south of LBJ Freeway. This station primarily would be a commuter station for originating trips, particularly from the Hamilton Park community. The LBJ Station also would serve as a destination station serving area employment, inclUding Texas Instruments (TI). Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road, LRT/Arapaho Road, and LRT/Parker Road -Intermediate capacity. 31 rrlfrr!rr r[[[LL ooooo Spring' Valley station -The Spring valley Station would a grade-separated station located over Spring Valley Road. The Spring Valley Station primarily would be a destination station serving nearby employment, commercial, and residential activity centers, notably: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, a Hotel, Office Complex, Commercial Centers, and a Water Treatment Plant. Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road, LRT/Arapaho>: Road, and LRT/Parker Road -Xntermediate capacity. Arapaho Station The Arapaho Station would be located directly north of Arapaho Road or further to the north between Woodall and Monte Blaine. The Arapaho Station would serve primarily as a commuter station, utilizing significant park-and-ride facilities (1,100 parking spaces) available at the existing Richardson Transit Center. This 􀁳􀁾􀁡􀁴􀁩􀁯􀁮 would provide access to the Richardson Municipal Center and other destinations in the Study Corridor through bus services at the Richardson Transit Center. Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road, LRT/Arapaho Road, and LRT/Parker Road -Xntermediate capacity. Campbell Station -Three potential sites for the Campbell Station have been identified. One is centered on the commercial development fronting on Lakeside, the other two are to the north of this development. This station primarily would be a destination station serving significant existing employment activity, notably: BNR/Northern Telecom, Aetna, The Travelers, Hewlett Packard, Richardson and Hilton Hotels, Texins Credit Union, and numerous other commercial and retail establishments. It also would serve potential future employment and activity centers. Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road. SB 190 Station -The SH 190 Station would be directly north or south of the SH 190 Freeway, west of Plano Road. This station has the potential to be both a destination station, serving future employment and commercial activity centers, and an originating station providing park-and-ride and. feeder bus access for areas to the east and west via the SH 190 freeway. Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road. 15th Street special Events Station -This station would be located directly south of 15th Street or half way between 15th and 16th • Both locations offer the opportunity to provide off-peak service for special events, such as Dickens Downtown, the Municipal Band concert series, and productions by the Plano Arts Council. This station also would provide access to Haggard Park in Downtown Plano, the Douglas Community, Plano Municipal Center, and downtown commercial, retail, and service activities. Alternatives: LRT/Parker Road. 32 o Parker Road S1;a1;ion -The Parker Road station would be located between Park Boulevard and Parker Road. This station would serve as the terminus for LRT service, utilizing significant park-and-ride facilities (1,400 parking spaces) at the existing East Plano Transit Center. The station also would serve a wide range of commercial and retail activities situated north and south of Parker Road. Al1;erna1;ives: LRT/Parker Road and LRT/Parker Road In1;ermedia1;e capaci1;y. 3 .... 3 Bus Transi1; Sys1;ea Separate bus operating plans have been defined for the LRT alternatives. These plans are based on the TSM Alternative's operating plan. Some routes would act strictly as feeder bus service, while others would perform the dual role of feeder bus service plus limited corridor or CBD service. Express bus service paralleling the LRT service would be eliminated. However, other express bus routes, serving areas that cannot be served well by the LRT line or linked to it by new feeder bus service, would be retained. The general framework of the TSM bus service network would be modified for the LRT alternatives according to the guidelines identified above for the No-Build Alternative. Most bus transit routes in the Study Corridor would be restructured or relocated to feed the LRT service. The feeder bus service proposed for the LRT alternatives would be comprised of a network of 31 circulator and crosstown bus routes providing direct service to LRT stations north of Park Lane. The feeder bus routes would be designed to meet several key objectives: o Maximize connections with LRT stations in the Corridor; o Facilitate continued and expanded local bus circulation of each service by linking together primary transit traffic generators (development patterns for the year 2010 were considered during route design) along each feeder bus route; and ,i": I o Maximize connections between bus routes in order to maintain regional connectivity. Proposed service levels on each route have been set to (1) meet anticipated demand in the year 2010 and (2) provide for as many connections as possible between buses and the proposed LRT service. Details regarding changes in bus routing and schedules for each alternative may be found Chapter Three, Definition of Alternatives Report. 33 II As noted above, each alternative is based on extension of conventional the LRT technology of DART's LRT starter System beginning at the Park Lane station. There are several other common elements or features between the two alternatives. The common elements or features are the focus of the following paragraphs. rr [fr 3.4.4.1 common Elements of LRT Alternatives Technology [LIt The LRT technology isa proven and mature technology, which consists of a driver-operated, articulated"' vehicle using an overhead catenary for traction power. For this study, conventional LRT technology is defined as having a capacity ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 passengers per hour in the peak direction. As presently conceived, DART's LRT technology would provide a capacity of approximately 10,000 passengers per hour in the peak direction. Extending the LRT technology would permit at-grade road crossings, be able to negotiate tight radius curves, and be compatible with the concept of a Transitway Mall in the Dallas Central Business District (CBD). The LRT technology would employ a mixture of cab signals, wayside signals, and modified traffic signals. 3.4.4.2 Reservation of Part of DART/SPRR ROW for Potential Future ROV Facility 1[[Lr[r[ As noted above, each LRT alternative includes consideration of reserving part of the DART/SPRR ROW for an HOV facility in the event it is warranted in the future. In accordance with direction from the DART Board of Directors, the reservation of ROW would be incorporated as an element of the project to the extent that it does not affect the cost of LRT system development. A preliminary evaluation was conducted to determine the cost impacts of shifting the LRT alignment to one side of the ROW to accommodate future construction of an HOV facility. The evaluation revealed an estimated cost impact to LRT system construction of between $2 million and $4 million per mile. Roadway Grade crossings The northern terminus or northern-most station for LRT service in the Study Corridor would be the East Plano Transit Center between Park Boulevard and Parker Road. The LRT alignment generally would be located in the middle of the DART/SPRR ROW from Park Lane north to Plano. Street crossings would be at-grade or grade-separated (i. e., aerial or subsurface). Figure 3.7 shows the locations and configurations of grade crossings incorporated in the definition of the LRT alternatives. At-grade crossings would be protected with gates, lights, and warning bells. 34 -lRT ROADWAY CROSSING CONFIGURATIONSLEGEND 1111111 LRT Starter System I()II At-Grade Crossing II[)I Grade-Separated IIIIIiJII Optional I[-j Source: D8f1nllan of 􀁁􀁉􀁥􀁾March Il194. 35 Figure 3.7 36 The maintenance and storage of additional bus and rail vehicles and equipment can be accommodated at existing and/or planned service facilities. The East Dallas Maintenance and storage Facility would be able to accommodate additional buses. The Service and Inspection (S&I) Facility, now under construction south of the Dallas CBD, has sufficient design capacity to accommodate the additional LRT vehicles. Implementation of one of the LRT alternatives, however, would require construction of additional storage tracks. The fare structure assumed for all alternatives and all modes follow the current DART service/operating policies. Fares are calculated according to whether a route offers "local" or "premium" service. Local service is offered on Routes 1 -77, 82 -86, and 300 -400. Premium service is provided on Routes 78, 80, 81 and 200 -210. Transfers are always free between DART services with one exception. The cash fare difference must be paid when transferring between Hop-A-Bus and regular routes. It is assumed that a self-service system of fare collection would be used for the LRT alternatives. A self-service fare collection system would require roving fare inspectors to check that passengers have paid the proper fare. Fare vending and validation machines would be available at all stations in sufficient numbers to service expect patronage demand. Standard, automated recording fare boxes would continue to be used on buses. DART policy for current and future park-and-ride lots is to provide free parking for all users of the DART transit system. r[' I[rIl' lIrr [Ll[Ll 3.4.4.4 3.4.4.5 Maintenance and storage Pacility Requirement. Operating and Pare Policies I: IrI [t.: fL[l.[[[l Chapter Pour BVALUATZOJl 01' ALTERJIATZVBS This Evaluation of Alternatives Report is designed to provide community decision-makers with a knowledge and understanding of the primary advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. The principal purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework within which the study Corridor transit improvement alternatives will be evaluated. The evaluation process focuses on the impacts of each alternative being considered. This permits comparison of the relative impacts among alternatives. This comparative process is based on goals and objectives relating to the planning and development of transportation improvement alternatives in the Dallas metropolitan area. Evaluation criteria defined within this methodology provide a means to weigh out whether the alternatives meet the region's transportation goals and objectives. Having established the evaluation/decision framework, the bulk of this chapter focuses on relevant technical information bearing on the decision, including: • Transportation Services and Mobility Impacts; • Environmental Impacts; • Equity considerations; and • Cost Effectiveness/Financial Feasibility. Findings and conclusions derived from the technical information presented in this chapter are summarized in Chapter 5, comparative Analysis of Alternatives. The key attributes of each alternative are compiled and organized in summary form in Chapter 5 to facilitate comparison and evaluation. 4.1 Evaluation Pramework A discussion of project goals and objectives and key evaluation criteria is presented at this point to provide the necessary context for assessing the proposed alternatives. A general, overall decision-making structure also is presented to guide in the evaluation of alternatives. study Goals ADd Objectives ISTEA directs that changes be instituted in the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process for' major investments. ISTEA frames out a new policy for guiding consideration of proposed major transit investment projects (e.g., LRT) before advancing them through the FTA project development process. In the past, FTA rated major transit investment projects based on narrowly defined cost-effectiveness indices. ISTEA and new implementing regulations require FTA to consider a broad range of evaluation criteria during 37 the conduct of "corridor" or "subarea" studies. Major investment (corridor or subarea) studies are undertaken to provide a basis for evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alternative investments or strategies in attaining local, state, and national goals and objectives. The new Joint Planning Regulations published by FTA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicate the sponsors of proposed major transportation investment projects now must consider, in addition to cost-effectiveness, the following factors: Mobility Improvements (specifically, travel time & travel opportunities, congestion relief, increased mobility for the transit dependent population); Social, Economic, and Environmental Effects (specifically, air pollution, noise pollution); Safety; operating Efficiencies; Land Use and Economic Development (specifically, transit-supportive land use policies and patterns); Financing; 9 Energy consumption. The regulations also indicate that corridor or subarea studies should incorporate, as appropriate, analyses of demand reduction and operational management strategies (OMS). Chapter 2, Purpose and Need, defined the underlying transportation needs in the Study Corridor. The evaluation framework presented herein has been established to help decision-makers ferret out configurations or combinations of alternative transportation improvements that meet both the underlying needs and purposes of the project, while being cognizant of the objectives of ISTEA. Goals and objectives have been established for guiding the Corridor Planning Study. They are based on goals and objectives adopted as part of the DART Transit System Plan. It is important to note that, the project goals and objectives are derived from DART's mission statement, which reads: The mission of Dallas Area Rapid Transit is to build and operate an efficient and effective transportation system that. within the DART Service Area. provides mobility. improves the quality of life. and stimulates economic development through the implementation of the DART Service Plan as adopted by the voters on August 13. 1983. and as amended from time to time. DART is a regional transit provider and its Service Area extends well beyond the city limits of Dallas. Therefore, the ·1II 9 "Statewide Planning; Metropolitan Planning," Final Rules. 38 If! [fL[[t. L transportation goals and objectives of NCTCOG and the cities of Dallas, Richardson and Plano have influenced DART's goals. The principal objective of the Corridor Planning study is to identify the most feasible alternative for improving transportationin the study Corridor. The selected alternative--the LPA--will be analyzed in greater detail during Preliminary Engineering. Project. goals providing the framework for evaluating transportationsimprovement alternatives for the study Corridor are stated below. o Travel and Mobility Goal -Provide a transportation system within the study Corridor that meets the Corridor's mobility needs and that is safe, efficient, and coordinated. ,-.-o EnviroDlD.ental Goal -Provide a transportation system that; preserves and enhances the study Corridor's social and:: physical environment and that minimizes potential impacts to sensitive resources. o Equity Goal Provide a transportation system that is consistent with the local community's goals and fairly distributes the system's costs, benefits, and impacts among various population subgroups. In addition to considerations relating to the achievement of local and regional transportation, environmental, and equity goals, there remains the need to examine the cost-effectiveness of proj ect alternatives. Cost-effectiveness, as applied to major transportation capital investment projects, is defined as the extent to which an alternative returns benefits in relation to its costs. Generally, the analysis of cost-effectiveness focuses on comparing the "benefit-to-cost" relationship of the higher cost alternative to that of a lower cost alternative. The lower capital cost option of primary interest to FTA is the TSM Alternative. The TSM Alternative usually represents the most cost-effective 􀁳􀁯􀁬􀁵􀁴􀁩􀁯􀁮􀁾􀂭 to a given transportation problem, because significant .:.. transportation benefits can be achieved without large expenditures. for the construction of major new facilities. The TSM Alternative,; therefore, serves as a "baseline" against which the benefits and costs of proposed major transit investments are evaluated. Specific decision-making criteria have been defined for each goal.:.-, These are presented in the Sections 4.2 -4.4 below. Qualitative':' or quantitative information relating to each alternative has been'. developed with respect to these criteria to assist in determining. differences between the alternatives. The information presented in; sections 4.2 -4.4 indicates how an alternative performs relative to each goal. section 4.5 presents capital and operating cost information for each alternative and an assessment of cost-effectiveness and financial feasibility. 39 Deoision Pramevork This project has been initiated and carried out to investigate and establish the optimal transportation solution for the study Corridor. The Transit System Plan, adopted in 1989, recommends the North central Corridor "have a light rail line on the DART-owned (former Southern Pacific Railroad) ROW between Arapaho Road and Mockingbird Lane. ,,10 To date, DART has made a commitment to construct and operate the LRT Starter System in three corridors and the CBD. The North central Corridor is one of the corridors to be served by DART's LRT "starter System." This Corridor Planning Study continues DART's investigation of future transit improvements in the Study Corridor. Particular attention has been given to extending the LRT North Central Line north to Arapaho, which is in Richardson, and beyond to Parker Road in Plano. The alternatives defined earlier .in this document represent the range of choices for future improvement. These -choices must be considered within a logical framework that first first addresses regional issues and concerns then directs attention to the specific potential solutions proposed within the Study corridor. The decision tree presented below displays a series of choices to keep in mind while reviewing the information compiled in this document. The first decision to be made is whether to move forward with an action to improve travel conditions in the Study;corridor, given the situation outlined in chapter 2, Purpose and Need. Putting this in the form of a question: Is DART ready and willing to commit more resources toward detailed evaluation of potential transit improvements for implementation in the Study Corridor? If DART determines that no action is justified at this time, there is no further need for planning activity to continue and attention can be focused on other activities for improving transportation in the region. If DART chooses to pursue transit improvements in the study corridor, then the next choice is between the two "action" or build alternatives: a TSM Alternative defined as HOV treatments with enhanced express bus service and circulator service or an LRT alternative defined as extending the LRT Starter System north of Park Lane. The choice to continue planning activities and decide between a low-cost TSM Alternative and a major transit investment (Le., extension of the LRT North Central Line) is the real focus of this document. The Transit System Plan already specifies that LRT should serve the North Central corridor at least to Arapaho in the City of Richardson in the near-term. It also notes that "an HOV lane is planned to link North Central Expressway with an HOV lane in LBJ Freeway. It would extend from Parker Road in Plano to LBJ 10 Transit System Plan. 40 I1--( i r[lLrc (I. r[[[lL,..:.. :•.... [ Do Nothinp __•• Accept the future conditions outlined In Chapter 2, -No-Build Purpose and Need, Including severe congestion on freeways and arterials and decreased schedule adherence for transit operations. North Central Corridor North of Park Lane Project ! ExpandAEnhance r+ Bus Transit -+ TSM Alternative Do Something -r-+-MOS to Arapaho Road (City of Richardson) 4 Extend LRT 􀁾􀀭􀀻􀀮􀁾 LRT/Parker Road Staged Implementation (City of Plano) 􀁾 Full System to Parker Road (City of Plano) Freeway in North Dallas. nll ThUS, the choice is between: (1) Holding to the recommendation of the Transit System flgn to extend the LRT Starter System beyond Park Lane as a compliment to the programmed HOV lane, or (2) Incorporating the programmed HOV lane on the North Central Expressway as part of a TSM Alternative with expanded Express Bus service and developing the Park Lane station as a major LRT terminus with significantly more accommodations for 􀁰􀁡􀁲􀁫􀀭􀁡􀁮􀁤􀁾􀁲􀁩􀁤􀁥 users. A decision to move forward with the Transit System Plan recommendation to extend the LRT starter System will bring up a 11 Ibid. 41 decision concerning the length of the LRT system and the level of service to be provided. Three opportunities for extending the LRT starter System have been defined. o As originally defined in the Transit System Plan,LRT service would have been completed to Arapaho Road in Richardson by the year 2005. LRT service would be extended to SH 190 in the post-2005 period. Therefore, the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative is directly representative of the Transit System Plan. This alternative also represents the "minimum operable segment" for extending the LRT Starter System north of Park Lane. Thus, a decision to implement this alternative recognizes DART has no obligation to develop LRT service beyond Richardson in the near-term future (1997-2005). This alternative does not include a significant, captial intensive transit element to serve Plano; however, the potential for extending LRT service is not precluded by its selection. , . o The LRT/Parker Road Alternative calls for extension of the LRT North Central Line from from Park Lane to Parker Road in Plano. This goes beyond the recommendation of the Transit System Plan, but has been defined as the primary LRT alternative for the Study Corridor. That is to say, the thinking of DART has been adjusted to reflect the desire to take the LRT North Central Line all the way to the north end of the Study Corridor. This action would anticipate the ultimate LRT service concept embodied in the Transit System Plan and targeted for implementation after 2005. In point of fact, this alternative would extend it somewhat by establishing LRT service north of the propose SH 190 Freeway to North Plano. o The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity is defined in terms of the staging of LRT service development actions beyond Arapaho Road in the near-term. The staging of LRT service development beyond Arapaho Road would permit DART to advance the timing of LRT service to Plano, while permitting it to simultaneously develop other LRT elements identified in the Transit System Plan (particularly the Garland LRT Line). The LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate Capacity would result in cost savings for DART, because LRT service would operate on only a single track (where possible) and fewer stations would be constructed. The LRT alternatives include consideration of reserving part of the DART/SPRR ROW for an HOV facility in the event it is warranted in the future. As noted in Chapter Three, the evaluation revealed an estimated cost impact to LRT System construction of between $2 million and $4 million per mile. This sequence of decisions is the basic decision framework on which this Evaluation Of Alternatives Report is based. This chapter 42 III' 43 presents the results of analyses and investigations regarding the potential impacts associated with implementing the alternatives identified for consideration. Existing Transportation Services Travel Patterns Data used to determine travel patterns in the Study Corridor are based on information collected in the 1990 U.S. Census. NCTCOG staff expanded this sample "journey-to-work" data to represent the work trip travel patterns throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth urbanized area, including the Study Corridor. There were 567,468 home-based work (HBW) trips associated with weekday travel in the Study Corridor in 1990 (Table 4.1). This total includes both productions within and attractions to the Study Corridor. Forty-seven (47) percent or 191,133 of the 403,397 trips originating in the Study Corridor were destined for locations within the Study Corridor. Although over one-half of the Study This section provides a discussion of existing transportation system characteristics in the study Corridor, identifies current plans for improvements, and presents expected impacts relating to the implementation of the alternatives being considered. 4.2 project Effectiveness -Travel and Mobility Goal The evaluation associated with the Project Effectiveness -Travel and Mobility Goal seeks to determine how well each alternative improves travel times and accessability within the study Corridor and to/from points outside the study Corridor. This section presents first a discussion of the existing transportation services in the study Corridor. This is followed by an evaluation of the effectiveness of each alternative in achieving the travel and mobility goal. Chapter 5 presents the principal findings and conclusions with respect to potential impacts and an examination of the "trade-offs" related with the choices just discussed. In general, trade-offs are the identified relationships among impacts, affected interests, and alternatives. Trade-offs show the effect of making selected changes in alternatives by displaying how an action designed to achieve an effect in one impact area may have implications for other areas as well. For example, LRT alternatives are designed to provide fast travel times and attract new riders, but the facilities are expensive to construct and operate; ,this affects the financial feasibility of the project. The examination of trade-offs is particularly valuable when an alternative exhibits strengths and weaknesses in different areas and in differing degrees than other alternatives. The trade-offs 􀁡􀁾􀁡􀁬􀁹􀁳􀁩􀁳 provides a basis for decision-makers to weigh the pros and cons of each alternative and, ultimately, determine the desired future course of action. rrr" [L[[[[ [r[r: r Table 4.1 1990 DAILY BOD-BASED WORK (eW) PERSON TRIPS 􀁾􀁲􀁩􀁰􀀮 fro. 􀁾􀁨􀀮 􀁂􀁾􀁵􀁤􀀷 􀁔􀁯􀁾􀀮􀁬 􀁾􀁲􀁩􀁰􀀮 􀁾􀁯 􀁾􀁨􀀮 􀁂􀁾􀁵􀁤􀀷 􀁔􀁯􀁾􀀮􀁬 Corridor Corridor •••• to the study Corridor 191,133 •••• to the South 74,297 •••• from the South 62,506 •••• to the North 8,687 •••• from the North 26,296 •••• to the East 24,791 •••• from the Bast 28,939 •••• to the West 104,489 •••• from the West 46,330 TOTAL mIPS 403,397 TOTAL mIPS 164,071 Corridor's work force traveled outside the study Corridor for employment, an additional 164,076 HBW trips were attracted to locations within the study Corridor from outside the study Corridor. 4.2.1.2 Transportation System Utilization About one percent of the total HBW trips associated with weekday travel in the Study Corridor in 1990 used the public transit system. Thirty-five (35) percent of the transit ridership was going to the CBD, while sixty-five (65) percent was bound for other areas outside of the Study Corridor. Transit: syst:elll The study Corridor is served by a network of 32 DART bus routes. Bus transit service operates in mixed traffic on us 75 and other study corridor roadways. There are six local, eleven express, nine circulator, and six crosstown routes. The "circulator" routes operate between transit centers. There are other bus routes which pass through the southern edge of the study Corridor on their way to the CBD. The. study Corridor bus network generally is oriented in a north-south direction, radiating from the CBD located to the south. Crosstown service to the suburbs and outlying areas is limited. Ridership on the bus· routes operating in the study corridor is summarized in Table 4.2. Highway/Roadway Syst:elll The existing highway system in the study corridor includes two freeways and a network of arterial roads and local streets. The 44 II[' I' [r: rLr Lt, LfI Table 4.2 CURRENT STUDY CORRIDOR TRANSIT RIDERSHIP Averaae Weekdav RidershiD 20.662 Average. Weekend Passengers . saturday 3,660 Sunday 􀁾 Total 4,164 Average Monthlv Passenaers 474,872 Source: DaUas Area Rapid Transit: Service Planning, October 1992. study Corridor is bisected by two freeways. The principal freeway is the North Central Expressway or US 75. US 75 is part of a system of highways that radiates from the CBD freeway loop. US 75 runs in a north-south direction and carries an average of 100,000 to 135,000 vehicles per day. US 75 currently is being widened throughout the North Central Corridor. Construction will be completed on the section north of Park Lane sometime during 1995. The section south of Park Lane to the Dallas CBD will be completed by the year 2000. The other freeway in the Study Corridor is LBJ Freeway (IH 635). LBJ Freeway is a "crosstown," outer loop around Dallas and carries an average of 170,000 to 200,000 vehicles per day. This volume of freeway traffic is the highest in the Dallas urbanized area. Plans are being prepared to widen LBJ Freeway, although the construction period is not set. SH 190 is a second circumferential freeway under construction in the Study Corridor between the cities of Richardson and Plano. The service roads for this freeway have been constructed east of US 75. Construction of the main lanes is not planned until after the year 2000. A grid-like street pattern exists for most of the Study Corridor. Current weekday traffic volumes for principal roadways within the Study Corridor are shown in Figure 4.1. High traffic volum.as contribute to congestion delays. Local and national standards suggest that, if the ratio of actual traffic volume to the theoretical traffic capacity of a roadway exceeds 0.9, traffic operating conditions are considered unacceptable. The volume-to-capacity (VIC) ratios on many arterials in the StUdy Corridor are at or exceed the 0.9 standard. . All major surface streets in the Study Corridor, except Royal Lane, cross the Southern Pacific Railroad (SPRR) tracks at-grade. This results in traffic delays and safety problems when trains are 45 EXISTING CORRIDOR TRAFFIC VOLUMES II Figure 4.1 ! xx = Daily Volume in Thousands LEGEND 46 ! \"",,"oo,,.,'!'. _ c---􀁾 􀁩􀁾 :.---. 􀁲􀁐􀁁􀀽􀁒􀁋􀀽􀀺􀀮􀀺􀁅􀁒􀁾􀁒􀁄􀀺􀀮􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁴􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀫􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁤􀁴􀀭􀀭􀀭 􀀭􀁦􀁾􀁾􀀷􀁾A􀁾 L -I 􀁾 d;r-I I!! 􀁾 􀁉􀁮􀁌􀀬􀁥􀀮􀀮􀁾􀁬􀀮􀁉􀁟__􀁟􀁟􀁉􀁟􀀭􀁟􀁟􀁲􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁾 􀁾 2 _1'\ 􀁾 PARK BLVD. 􀁾 􀁾 1"!i!!J. I􀁌􀁾 rr' rLrlr-: r; operated on the tracks. The SPRR tracks (now owned by DART) are grade-separated at LBJ Freeway. Current design plans for SH 190 indicate the DART/SPRR tracks will the cross frontage roads of this beltline facility (under construction) at-grade, but the tracks will be grade-separated at the main freeway lanes. parking The supply of parking in the study Corridor generally meets or exceeds current demands. Large activity centers have extensive off-street parking facilities. Parking also is allowed on most minor arterials, collectors, and local streets. Parking is not allowed on principal arterials. Railroads At present, there are four active freight rail lines operating through or traversing the study Corridor (refer for Figure 4.1). All of the rail lines are single track, with no block signal systems. No passenger trains currently use any of these lines. The former Missouri, Kansas, & Topeka Railroad (MKT RR), now owned by DART, is located in the southeast portion of the study Corridor. No freight trains operate on this line west of LBJ Freeway. Trains delivering construction materials and equipment for DART's LRT starter System may use the portion of the line west of LBJ Freeway on an occasional basis. Local switching service is provided east of LBJ Freeway by the Dallas, Garland and Northeastern Railroad (DG&NO RR), a short line based in Garland. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company (AT&SF RR) owns and operates a line that crosses the Study Corridor in Richardson. AT&SF RR has contracted to sell this line to the Kansas City Southern Railroad Company (KCS RR). KCS RR anticipates operating approximately six trains daily on this line. This number will be reduced to four trains daily after a connection (referred to as the "Renner V" connection) is completed with the former st. Louis & Southwestern Railroad (S&SW RR or Cotton Belt Railroad) near the campus of the University of Texas at Dallas northwest of the Study Corridor. The DART-owned Cotton Belt Railroad line runs generally east-west through the Study Corridor in Plano. Except for the one train per day that operates between Addison and the Southern Pacific Transportation Company's Miller Yard on the south side of Dallas, only local switching service is provided on this line. After completion of the" Renner V" connection, at least two KCS RR trains will use the cotton Belt Railroad line east of Renner. The DART/SPRR line, parallelling US 75, soon will operate only local trains from Plano south to Richardson to serve customers on a track called the "Arapaho Lead." This area is located south of Arapaho Road and east of Greenville Avenue. By January of 1995, a 47 connection from the AT&SF RR track will be constructed, and service will be from that line instead of the DARTjSPRR line. This action is the result of agreements DART has with AT&SF RR and SPRR. Under the agreements, DART will finance construction of the new connection to relieve the DARTj SPRR line of commercial freight train traffic. It has not yet been decided which railroad will provide service to Arapaho Lead customers or which entity will contract for the construction. Currently, the SP Transportation Company's train running between Addison and Miller Yard uses this line to Plano. This train will soon be temporarily rerouted via the former MKT line, which parallels Denton Drive. The permanent route will be via the AT&SF RR line south of Renner. A train to Dennison, north of Plano, also operates on this line six days per week. The SPRR is in the process of selling the line north of spring Creek Parkway (the northerly limit of DART's ownership) to a private developer company--chisolm-Haggard. The through route to Denison will be severed and only local switching service, and possibly a tourist train, will use the line north of Plano. IIIIrI 4.2.2 Travel and Mobility Impacts The goals adopted by DART and the policy considerations established by ISTEA have served as the basis for defining travel and mobility "effectiveness" criteria. These criteria for measuring the performance of an alternative specifically address travel time and accessibility. Five criteria have been identified as "key" indicators of project effectiveness: o DART's desire to maximize accessibility is reflected in the number of persons and jobs within a reasonable distance (1 mile) of its services; o Maximizing ridership is a significant measure of the satisfaction of this goal, which can be measured by estimating the total annual ridership forecast to be served by each alternative and determining the difference among alternatives; o Travel time changes provide a measure of achievement with regard to enhancing mobility and can be measured by evaluating typical trips to determine the change in time between alternatives to make the trip; o savings in travel time reveal a gain in operational efficiency; and o Changes, specifically reductions, in miles travelled (VMT) or the expected indicate the relative effectivenss obtaining congetion relief.48 actual annual vehicle rate of growth ofVMT, of an alternative in II r, lr: l[: Itr . [' , {[L[([ These and other criteria or measures of effectiveness have been employed to evaluate the study Corridor alternatives and to ascertain how well each alternative "performs" relative to the criteria identified for consideration. The TSM Alternative and both the LRT alternatives would foster an increase in transit ridership. The LRT alternatives would reduce transfer requirements about 2 to 3 percent. This would make transit travel more efficient for study Corridor residents. A discussion of travel/transportation impacts associated with each alternative is presented below. Travel Demand Impacts Travel demand generally is defined as the initiation of per:son trips in response to the availability of and mobility provided' by various transportation modes. The measures used to evaluate travel demand impacts are based on the different transit networks:and operating assumptions defined for each alternative. Thus, the measures provide information on user response to a given set of assumptions regarding characteristics of and service provided by the transit system. The measures of travel demand along with the system supply measures are used for determining system performance and level of service. Table 4.3 presents a summary of the travel demand impact measures, which include linked 'and unlinked transit trips and passenger miles and hours of travel. Transit Trips Transit trips expected to be associated with each alternative were forecast in terms of being "linked" or "unlinked." The forecast of linked transit trips counts all travel from the point of origin to the point of final destination as a single trip, whether or not there was a transfer en route. That is to say, the individual segments of a transit trip involving transfer are "linked" to reflect one complete trip. "Unlinked" trips refers to each individual transit vehicle boarding whether by payment of fare or by transfer. Thus, the various segments of a person's trip remain "unlinked." The number of unlinked trips will always be greater than than the number of linked trips. Linked trips provides an estimate of how many people use the system, while unlinked trips provides a measure of the number of persons using each route or mode within the system. The different measures of transit ridership provide information useful in sizing the required transportation system. Unlinked and linked transit trips have been forecast by mode for each alternative, including: local bUS, express bUS, and LRT (refer to Table 4.3). Total unlinked transit trips range from 290,600 under the No-Build Alternative to 296,600 under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate Capacity would produce about 2,700 fewer unlinked trips. Rider 49 Table 4.3 SUMMARY 01' TRAVEL DEMAND IMPACTS Alternative 􀁾􀀯􀁐􀁡􀁲􀁫􀁥􀁲 􀁾􀁉 􀁾􀁉 Road -PerforaBnce Parker Arapaho Interae4iate Measure Ro-Build TSII Road Road capacity Daily Unlinked Transit Trips • Local Bus 197,000 192,600 187,300 187,800 188,100 • Express Bus 47,900 56,000 39,100 41,400 39,400 • Fixed Guideway 45,900 43,500 70,200 64,800 66,400 • Total 290,600 292,100 296,600 292,100 293,900 Daily Linked Transit Trips • Fixed Guideway 44,800 42,700 68,700 63,500 65,000 • Total 195,500 196,800 203,600 201,200 201,600 • Added Riders1 ----5,400 3,500 3,800 Daily Linked Transit Trips by Time of Day • Peak --135,900 141,100 139,300 139,800 • Off-Peak --60,900 62,500 61,900 61,800 Daily Linked Transit Trips by Mode of Access • Walk --160,200 161,400 160,300 160,100 • Automobile --36,600 42,200 40,900 41,500 Daily Passenger Miles • Local Bus 641,000 630,800 610,400 614,900 613,900 • Express Bus 601,100 641,900 467,200 509,700 473,800 • LRT 255,700 250,400 509,100 418,000 469,400 • Total 1,497,800 1,523,100 1,586,700 1,542,600 1,557,100 • \ Chg Fm TSM ----4.2\ 1.3\ 2.2\ Annual Net Travel Time Benefit Over TSM • Total Hours ----1,536,900 948,800 1,129,100 • Dollars Saved ----$6,082,200 $3,065,600 $4,613,100 1 Estimate of "Added Riders" assunes the provision of LRT service in the Northeast Corridor. activity on the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative and TSM Alternative are forecast to produce the same level of activity (292,100 unlinked trips). 50 ILIrIIl. Ii·· IIl rr [rrLr.·.· l1![[' rLL[[[ It should be noted that the total number of unlinked trips does not differ significantly among alternatives. The maximum number of trips expected to occur under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative is only two percent greater than the minimum number of trips expected to be produced under the No-Build Alternative. The key aspect of the values shown for unlinked trips is the change in distribution between available modes of travel. Fixed guideway (i. e., .LRT) trips under the No-Build and TSM Alternatives would account for about 15 percent of all unlinked trips. under tqe LRT alternatives, the share of trips using fixed guideway would rise to between 22 and 24 percent of all trips. The forecast of trips for the LRT alternatives includes passengers, who access LRT service at stations via automobile, walking, or other manner of travel, and passengers, who transfer from' bus transit. Linked transit trips (Le., bus to rail) are used to determine the number of added riders. By eliminating the the effect of transfers on the total number of system users (i.e., counting only "linked" trips), the "net" increase in system ridership can be determined. A comparison of linked trips by alternative shows the expected increase in system ridership would be highest for the LRT/Parker Road alternative. Ridership would increase by 5,400 trips daily, which would be about 54% higher than the shorter LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative (3,500). The LRT/parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity with 3,800 added riders would be only slightly better than the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative. Table 4.3 also shows that the increase in transit ridership would be manifested mostly in the Peak period, when congestion problems are greatest. There would be no significant change in the number of persons accessing transit services by walking. However, the number of persons accessing transit services by automobile ( i. e. , park-and-ride or kiss-and-ride) would differ noticeably. Automobile access principally represents work or commute trips. Therefore, an increase in automobile access trips would be reflected in reduced vehicle miles of travel on the study Corridor roadway system and freeways. The travel forecast predicts 36,600 trips would access by automobile transit services provided under the TSM Alternative. Automobile access would increase to 42,200 trips under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative, representing a 15 percent increase. The increase in automobile access trips under the other two LRT alternatives would exceed 10 percent. Passenger Niles Passenger miles of travel summarize the total amount of travel by transit riders. Passenger miles are forecast to total 1,497,800 under the No-Build Alternative; the TSM Alternative would increase passenger miles of travel by transit to 1,523,100. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative would bring about a 4.2 percent increase in transit ridership as measured by passenger miles !of travel. The 51 LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would bring about only a 1.3 percent increase in passenger miles. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate Capacity would be only slightly better, increasing passenger miles of travel by transit 2.2 percent. The longer LRT/Parker Road Alternative would have the least number of local and express bus passenger miles and highest number of rail passenger miles of all the alternatives. Travel Time Table 4.3 shows that the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would save existing riders slightly more than 1.5 million hours annually in travel time over the TSM Alternative. This represents a financial benefit exceeding $6.1 million per year (current dollars). The amount of savings gained with implementation of the LRT/Parker Road Alternative is significantly more than either the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative (948,800 hours and $3.1 million) or LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate Capacity (1,129,100 hours and $4.6 million). (:. iI IL Transportation System supply Impacts Transportation system supply measures provide an indication of the amount of service provided by each alternative. Four measures were used to evaluate the differences among the alternatives according to system supply: vehicle miles of travel (VMT), vehicle hours of travel (VHT), vehicle trips, and peak vehicle requirements (Table 4.4). Vehicle Hiles and Hours of Travel Total vehicle miles and hours provide a measure of the amount of transit service forecast to be supplied on an average day by the different alternatives. A comparison of vehicle miles by alternative shows that VMT associated with the TSM Alternative (122,100 miles) would be greater than that of the LRT alternatives (114,000-116,000 miles). The reason for this is that the TSM Alternative includes a major expansion of express bus service over the No-Build Alternative. Regular, "local" bus VMT would be approximately the same across all alternatives. As expected, rail vehicle miles would be significantly higher for the LRT alternatives. Similar differences are noted noted in the comparison of total vehicle l;l0urs by 􀁡􀁬􀁴􀁥􀁲􀁮􀁡􀁾􀁩􀁶􀁥􀀮 The measure of vehicle hours refers to hours 􀁾􀁮 revenue 􀁳􀁥􀁲􀁶􀁾􀁣􀁥􀀮 The TSM Alternative would have the highest amount of total vehicle hours (7,960). Again, this would be due to operation of an extensive express bus route system. Express bus hours under the TSM Alternative would be almost 50 percent higher than under the LRT alternatives. In contrast, rail hours would be almost 40 percent higher under the LRT alternatives. 52 rI . III It [rrr rLLLrIi. , r: rr·· ..tL([r[ Table 4.4 SUMMARY OF DAILY SYSTEK SUPPLY IMPACTS 􀁁􀁬􀁾􀁥􀁲􀁮􀁡􀁾􀁩􀁶􀁥 " 􀁾􀀯􀁐􀁡􀁲􀁫􀁥􀁲 􀁾􀁉 􀁾􀁉 Roael -Performance Parker Arapaho 􀁉􀁮􀁾􀁥􀁮􀁡􀁥􀁣􀀱􀁩􀁡􀁾􀁥 Measure Mo-Build 􀁾􀁓􀁍 Road Road 􀁣􀁡􀁰􀁡􀁣􀁩􀁾􀁊􀀧 Vehicle Hiles • Local Bus 72,600 72,600 73,000 73,000 73,100 • Express Bus 32,000 41,800 29,700 30,500 29,700 • Rail 7,700 7,700 13,000 11,400 " 11,200 • Total 112,300 122,100 115,700 114,900 .'. 114,000 Vehicle Hours • Local Bus 5,400 5,400 5,500 5,500 5,500 • Express Bus 1,600 2,200 1,400 1,500 1,400 • Rail 400 360 500 500 400 • Total 7,400 7,960 7,400 7,500 7,300 Vehicle Trips • Local Bus 7,700 7,700 7,400 7,400 7,400 • Express Bus 1,600 2,100 1,600 1,600 1,600 • Rail 680 700 680 680 600 • Total 9,980 10,500 9,680 9,680 9,600 Peak Vehicles • Local Bus 670 670 670 670 670 • Express Bus 300 430 270 280 270 • Rail 40 40 58 52 55 • Total 1,010 1,140 990 1,000 990 Vehicle Trips The comparison of vehicle trips by transit reveals that the total number of trips under the LRT alternatives would be about eight percent less than under the TSM Alternative. A reduction of local bus trips would result from reconfiguration to provide "feeder" bus service to the LRT service, replacing the extensive express bus route system proposed under the TSM Alternative. Total 'vehicle trips would be greatest under the TSM Alternative, as there would a more extensive express 􀁢􀁵􀁳􀁾 network in the study Corridor, and this network would feed the LRT service at Park Lane. Peak Vehicle Requiremen'ts The peak vehicle requirements measure refers to the number of vehicles needed to serve the study Corridor in the peak o period. The peak vehicle requirement excludes extra vehicles on hand as spares or backup vehicles to those actually in operation or revenue 53 service. Table 4.4 shows that under the TSM Alternative a total of 1,140 bus and rail vehicles would be required during the peak period of travel. The TSM Alternative would have a large number of express buses; 430 express buses would be required to serve the expanded express bus network in the peak period. The number of express bus vehicles would be reduced by 37 percent under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative, while the number of Peak rail vehicles would be increased by about 45 percent. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative would require the least number of vehicles (990). The number of local bus vehicles would remain the same for all alternatives. Overall, the LRT alternatives would reduce peak vehicle requirements by 12-13 percent. 􀁔􀁲􀁡􀁄􀁳􀁰􀁯􀁲􀁾� �􀁾􀁩􀁯􀁄 􀁳􀁹􀁳􀁾.. PerformaDce 􀁉􀁭􀁰􀁡􀁣􀁾􀁳 Transportation performance measures represent relationships between travel demand and supply. They reflect the appropriateness of investment in the transportation system by revealing the attractiveness of the proposed system to the user. Thus, the measures show the response of users to the service supplied or the advantage gained by users with system improvements in place. Performance measures for each alternative are shown in Table 4.5. Table 4.5 SUJDIARY 01' TRAlfSPORTATIOIJ PBRPORJIA)JCB IMPACTS Alt.ernat.ive UT/Parker UT/UT/Road -Parker Arapaho Int.eraediat.e Performance Measure Ro-Build TSII Road Road capacit.y Passengers/Vehicle llile • Local Bus 􀀲􀁾􀀷􀀱 2.65 2.57 2.57 2.57 • Express Bus 1.50 1.34 1.32 1.36 1.33 • Rail 5.94 5.65 5.40 5.68 5.93 • Total 2.59 2.39 2.56 2.54 2.58 Passenger Trip Length 7.66 7.75 7.79 7.67 7.72 (Linked Trips Only) Passengers Per Vehicle Hile The passengers per vehicle mile measure reveals the loading of the system of transit services provided for travel by DART. The TSM Alternative would be the least productive service scheme, carrying less thatn 2.5 passengers per vehicle mile. Expansion of the 54 I.\! I[I:I [f· -.. [Irli' t1rr," r[rL, l[['.-.•. .. [ express bus network would increase vehicle miles almost nine percent over the No-Build, but total transit trips would only increase by less that one percent. The concentration of service that occurs with the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would minimize the overall downward effect associated with expanding transit service in the study Corridor. This would lead to a more productive system of transit services, carrying 2.56 (plUS 7 percent) passengers per vehicle mile. The passengers per vehicle mile ratio of' the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity would be the highest (2.58), due to minimizing the miles of vehicle operations beyond Richardson while gaining a significant number of new riders in Plano. Passenger Trip Length Although loading of the study Corridor's transit system would'not be dramatic with implementation of the build alternatives, each would provide an additional benefit by increasing the opportunity for travel in the region. This is reflected by the increase in trip length. The LRT alternatives would produce a shift of shorter local and express bus transit trips to the LRT system, resulting in slightly fewer system-wide transfers and longer trips. A slightly greater average trip length would be achieved with implementation of the LRT/Parker Road Alternative, which would extend the LRT starter System to Plano. Expanding the express bus network, as defined under the TSM Alternative, would result in a slight travel advantage over the other two LRT alternatives. Localized Traffic Effects The number of areas with localized traffic increases would be fewest under the TSM Alternative compared to the LRT alternatives. The TSM Alternative would not include as many park-and-ride facilities. There would be a new transit center located near the proposed SH 190 freeway and an improved transit center at the existing North Central park-and-ride facility. Both of these locations would experience localized traffic increases associated with additional park-and-ride demand for expanded express bus services. The SH 190 freeway transit center location is the,same as the Parker Road station under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative. However, the increase in traffic would be less under the TSM Alternative, because there would be a lower park-and-ride demand. The Park Lane station under the TSM Alternative would become a permanent terminus. This would require expanded bus transit (express and local) and park-and-ride facilities to accommodate "end-of-the-line" transfers and parking. The LRT alternatives would reduce overall travel by automobile. However, localized traffic increases would occur near stations2that have park-and-ride facilities. The greatest potential for impact due to park-and-ride activity would occur at stations with the largest parking facilities or the greatest demand for parking. 55 Increases in traffic volumes associated with park-and-ride activity could have an effect on critical intersections in these station vicinities. Critical intersections are those which have significant influence on traffic flow. Intersections may be deemed critical because of high traffic volumes, inadequate physical design, congestion, or a combination of these deficiencies. Park-and-ride facilities would be located at the following LRT/Parker Road Alternative stations: Royal Lane, LBJ Freeway, Arapaho Road, SH 190, and Parker Road. A high potential for localized traffic impacts under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would be associated with the LBJ Freeway, Arapaho, and Parker Road stations. critical intersections near the Walnut Hill, Spring Valley Road, and Campbell Road stations would not be significantly affected, because no park-and-ride facilities ar:e proposed for these locations. Under the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative, the number of areas with localized traffic increases would be fewer, because there there would be fewer stations--five as compared to eight under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative. Only three of the five stations (Royal Lane, LBJ Freeway, and Arapaho Road) would include park-and-ride facilities. These station vicinities would experience greater localized traffic increases, because a greater amount of park-and-ride activity. Nevertheless, the total number of critical intersections affected would be fewer under the shorter LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative. This also would be true for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity, which would have only the Parker Road Station park-and-ride facilities beyond Arapaho Road. Implementation of the LRT alternatives also would result in traffic impacts at surface streets, where the proposed LRT alignment (the DART/SPRR ROW) crosses at-grade. An analysis of fifteen at-grade crossings of surface streets between Park Lane and Parker Road was conducted to determine potential operational impacts on traffic and the need for mitigation. The results of the analysis revealed that grade separation could be justified at six at-grade crossings to avoid excessive queue lengths and traffic delay. 4.3 Project Bffectiveness -Bnvironmental Goal The evaluation associated with the Project Effectiveness Environmental Goal focuses on the degree and character of impacts to the physical, social, and cultural resources of the Study Corridor. The potential for major environmental consequences from the implementation of each alternative was' determined through review of available information and minimal field reconnaissance. The purpose of the review was two-fold: (1) determine the general differences in effects, consequences, or impacts between the alternatives being considered; and (2) differentiate between the significance of the different types of effects, consequences, or 56 II i' Ir--II' ',' IrII lII' [f.·.<: 1r[rLrli. impacts anticipated. The following categories of potential impacts were examined: • Noise and Vibration • Parklands • visual and Aesthetics • Acquisitions and Displacements • Air Quality • CUltural Resources • Hazardous/Regulated Materials • Wetlands • Ecosystems, Hydrology/Water Quality, and Energy. The review was not conducted at the same level of detail 􀁡􀁳􀀮􀁾􀀮􀁷􀁯􀁵􀁬􀁤 be expected in an EIS. The information provided herein 􀁷􀁩􀁾􀁬 be used as input to further, more detail environmental studies. An EIS will be prepared pursuant to NEPA, during the PE phase of the project. Impacts should be minimized, if achievement of environmental goals is desired. The goals adopted by DART and the policy considerations established by ISTEA, as cited above, have served as the basis for defining "effectiveness" criteria. criteria for measuring the performance of an alternative relative to the environmental goal specifically address effects on the physical setting of the study Corridor. Five criteria criteria have been identified as "key" indicators of project effectiveness: rr-[rLLLLl ooooo The number of noise sensitive sites affected by proposed transportation improvements and the nature of the potential effects provides a measure to determine whether impacts have been minimized among alternatives; Alternative transportation improvements could adversely affect or impact parklands, recreation areas, historic or cultural sites, scenic areas, or other resources subject to Section 4(f) review; The number of sensitive visual/aesthetic resources affected by proposed transportation improvements and the nature of the potential effects provides a measure to determine whether impacts have been minimized among alternatives; The number of displaced residents/homes and businesses provides a measure of the potential impacts on the fabric of the community;and,,-.. Reductions in automobile and bus emissions, as a function of annual VMT indicates the relative improvement of air 􀁱􀁵􀁾􀁬􀁩􀁴􀁹􀀬 which is a concern specifically identified in the framework of ISTEA. 57 These and other criteria or measures of effectiveness have been reviewed to evaluate the study corridor alternatives and to ascertain how well each alternative "performs" relative to environmental concerns. This section addresses these "key" impact concerns and the other major impact 􀁣􀁾􀁴􀁥􀁧􀁯􀁲􀁩􀁥􀁳 by presenting (1) a brief description of the existing environmental conditions of the study Corridor and (2) a summary of potential consequences or impacts associated with the alternatives being considered. The brief picture of the "environmental setting"--the setting within which the proposed action will take place--is provided to give context and perspective to potential consequences which must be recognized in the decision process. More detail regarding the conditions of the affected environment may be found in the "Existing Conditions" Reports prepared for each of the major areas of environmental consideration studied. These reports are available for review at the DART offices. Information regarding physical environmental conditions and potential environmental consequences is focused within a general Environmental study Area shown in Figure 4.2. Immediate consequences associated with the alternatives being considered would be most readily apparent and measurable in the Environmental study Area. The results of the analysis and investigation of potential consequences are presented below in accordance with the categories identified above. r: -III Hoise and vibration Affected Bnvironment Twenty-one locations within 200 feet of the proposed LRT alignments were selected for obtaining a sample of existing noise levels. Sample monitoring was conducted June 22 through June 24, 1993. The locations chosen included noise-sensitive receivers, such as apartments, houses, a hotel, a hospital, a park, and a day care center. Seven sites were continuously monitored and 14 sites were monitored at 15-minute intervals. The "typical" magnitude of the day-night average sound level (DNL) value for an urban setting generally is about 65 decibels (dB) on the A-Scale (dBA). DNL represents a measure to estimate the average noise level affecting a receiver. It is computed by averaging the hourly equivalent noise level (Leq) measurements over a 24-hour period. A 10 dB penalty is added to Le values for the nighttime hours (10:00 pm -7:00 am) to account \or the greater relative impact of sound producing activities when the prevailing ambient noise level is very low. The DNL noise metric ranged from 59 to 68 dBA at the seven continuously monitored sites. Leq levels at these locations ranged 58 II· I.· IIII ,,,, Figure 4.2 Environmental Study Area 59 PARKER RD. dEX: EX: 􀁾 I SPRING CREEK PKWY. ATiSFR.R. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AREA rr[[[ from 59 to 71 dBA between 10: 00 am and 2: 00 pm; 55 to 62 dBA between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm; and 53 to 65 dBA between 10:00 pm and 1: 00 am. Leq levels at the 14 sites monitored at 15-minute intervals ranged between 50 and 71 dBA between 10:00 am and 2: 00 pm; 53 and 64 dBA between 4: 00 pm and 7: 00 pm; and 53 and 65 dBA between 10:00 pm and 1:00 am. Proposed FTA guidelines do not recommend documenting existing levels of vibration for alternatives analysis purposes, because ground vibration generally is very low unless train activity is present along potential alignments. No recent train activity close to vibration-sensitive receivers has occurred along the portions of the DART/SPRR tracks, which are proposed for use within the definition of the two LRT alternatives. Therefore, no measurements of existing vibration levels were conducted. I'II Potential Hoise Impacts The South Oak Cliff AA/DEIS indicated that train operations had no adverse noise impacts at a distance farther than 200 feet from the track centerline. This spacing was used as a screening distance for review of potential LRT vehicle operation impacts. The noise screening procedure was designed to identify the point at which LRT operations would have little possibility of noise impact. This procedure allows the focusing of further noise analysis on locations where impacts are likely. No-Build Al'terna'tive Noise impacts associated with the No-Build Alternative would be dependent on the overall noise levels produced by traffic flow on streets and highways, which is highly dependent on the number of vehicles and the speed of the traffic. The type of vehicle has only a small effect unless heavy vehicles or the bus-type vehicle becomes a major percentage of the total traffic mix. Bus traffic would not become a major percentage of the total traffic mix along any of the routes or major traveled ways in the Study Corridor. Thus, little or no change in the noise level would be expected. TSIf Al'terna'tive Noise impacts associated with the TSM Alternative also would be dependent on the overall noise levels produced by traffic flow on streets and highways, which is highly dependent on the number of vehicles and the speed of the traffic. The type of vehicle has only a small effect unless heavy vehicles or the bus-type vehicle becomes a major percentage of the total traffic mix. Bus traffic would not become a major percentage of the total traffic mix along any of the routes or major traveled ways in the Study Corridor. ThUS, little or no change in the noise level would be expected. Localized impacts possibly could be associated with ramps constructed for travel to/from the HOV lane on US 75. 60 II rI.'..' [r[' lr llL[LL[".'. " J The TSM Alternative would include park-and-ride facilities at the proposed new SH 190 Freeway transit center and expanded facilities would be built at the existing North Central park-and-ride facility and Park Lane station. These facilities would be expected to generate additional traffic in the local area. Although the actual extent of new traffic activity is not known at this time, it should be noted that a 100% increase in traffic volume would be expected to increase the noise level by only 3 dBA. This is the level at which an average listener begins to detect changes in noise. Where traffic volumes would be less than double the existing activity, no significant impacts would occur. There also is the potential for adverse noise impacts from idling buses. This potential exists wherever noise-sensitive land uses are close to the area where the buses load and unload passengers. The number and character of potentially impacted land uses will be analyzed in detail during preparation of the DEIS. LR'1' Alternatives There would be 20 sensitive sites located within 200 feet of the proposed alignment for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative (Figure 4.3). A total of 34 sites would be within this distance with implementation of the LRT/Parker Road Alternative and LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity. Further noise analysis will be done during preparation of the DEIS and PE to determine which of these noise-sensitive land uses may actually be adversely affected by operation of LRT service in the DART/SPRR ROW. A number of mitigation measures would be available to minimize any adverse impacts identified. Available measures include: use of resilient Wheels on the LRT vehicle; installation of continuously-welded steel rail; construction of sound barrier walls along the track in noise-sensitive areas; use of train operating speed limitations where needed; and procurement of quieter vehicles. Further noise impact analyses would be required to determine the potential impacts associated with HOV lanes within the DART/SPRR ROW. However, it can be concluded that the addition of HOV lanes in the ROW would result in a significant noise level increase. Barrier walls, landscaping, and other noise mitigation treatments would reduce the significance of impact. All three LRT alternatives inclUde construction or improvement of park-and-ride facilities. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would have park-and-ride facilities at three stations, and the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would have such facilities at five stations. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity would haVe four stations with park-and-ride facilities. These facilities would be expected to generate additional traffic in the local area. Although the actual extent of new traffic activity is not known at this time, it should be noted that a 100% increase in traffic 61 NOISE SENSITIVE LOCATIONS ALONG LRT ALIGNMENT ATasF R.R. ------I SPRING CREEK PKWV. PARKER RD. oII: II: 562 ,,,, Noise Sensitive Locations Environmental Study Area Figure 4.3 ,"" II, ,I ". rF[r·[L[[lrr r[' [' L[L[[ volume would be expected to increase the noise level by only 3 dBA. This is the level at which an average listener begins to detect changes in noise. Where traffic volumes would be less than double the existing activity, no significant impacts would occur. There also is the potential for adverse noise impacts from idling buses. This potential exists wherever noise-sensitive land uses are close to the area where the buses load and unload passengers. The number and character of potentially impacted land uses will be analyzed during preparation of the DEIS. Potential Vibration Impacts There are a large number of factors that can influence the levels of vibration at the receiver location. The major factors are identified below. o operational factors -Factors such as high' speed, stiff primary vehicle suspensions, stiff track support systems, jointed rail, flat or worn wheels, or worn rail will increase the possibility of problems. o Guideway -The type of guideway, rail support system, and the mass and stiffness of the guideway structure will have an influence on the level of ground-borne vibration. Directly radiated noise usually is the dominant problem from an at-grade guideway although vibration can be a problem. o Geology -Soil conditions have a strong influence on the levels of ground-borne vibration. Vibration propagation is more efficient in stiff clay soils. Shallow rock seems to concentrate the vibration energy close to the surface, resulting in ground-borne vibration problems at significant distances from the track. Factors, such as layering of the soil and depth to water table, generally are considered to have significant effects on the propagation of ground-borne vibration. o Receiving' building' -Vibration levels inside a building are dependent on the vibration energy that reaches the building foundation, the coupling of the building foundation to the soil, and the propagation of the vibration through the building. The general guideline is that the heavier mass of construction construction materials used in a building, the lower the response will be to the incident vibration energy. Detailed analysis, involving evaluation of all these factors influencing vibration impacts, will be conducted during preparation of the DEIS. 63 No-Build Alternative Improvements associated with the No-Build Alternative principally would be within the confines of existing transportation facilities. Vehicle operations as a result of these improvements would not be a significant portion of current total vehicle operations. Therefore, no added exposure to vibrations would be expected. 'l'Slf Alternative Improvements included with the TSM Alternative definition are not well defined, but it is unlikely this alternative would produce significant levels of increased ground vibration. The South Oak Cliff Corridor EIS concluded that the increased volume of traffic associated with TSM elements was insignificant as a percentage of the daily volume. As a result, no significant change in vibration was expected. The same conclusion is expected to be valid for the TSM Alternative for the study Corridor. LR'1' Alternatives FTA guidelines provide a basis for performing a cursory vibration impact assessment by using screening distances associated with assumed normal vibration propagation. The screening distances for LRT projects are: 450 feet for Category 1 land uses; 150 feet for Category 2 land uses; and 100 feet for Category 3 land uses. Category 1 land uses include vibration-sensitive research and manufacturing buildings, hospitals with vibration-sensitive equipment, and university research operations. Allresidential land uses and any buildings where people sleep, such as hotels and hospitals, are included in Category 2. Institutional uses, such as schools, hospitals, libraries, and other institutions that do not have vibration sensitive equipment, but still have the potential for activity interference, would be included in Category 3. Each of the noise-sensitive locations shown on Figure 4.4 also may be vibration-sensitive. More detailed analysis will need to be pursued during preparation of the DEIS. I' I c ii I Parklands Affected Bnvironment There are 16 existing pUblic parklands within the Environmental Study Area (Figure 4.4). They include municipally-owned, pUblic parklands (owned by the Cities of Dallas, Richardson, and Plano) and privately-owned recreational areas. There are four region-serving parks or open space/greenbelts. Three of the parklands are considered to be "community" parks, having significant group-oriented facilities and large natural areas. The remaining nine parklands are considered to be "neighborhood" parks generally 10 acres or less in size. 64 IIII II r[: [' L[r[[[ PARKLANDS I SPRING CREEK Pl I). !. I\\.:" -.-. Ll:&. [rrrr[[[Lrrr􀁲􀁾 􀁴􀂷􀁾 [[[; (.....'. . . .,:.. [:. LJ [: II 2 percent accompanied by an increase in transit miles of about 3 percent. Thus, this alternative offers the ability to offer more miles of service to more people, while keeping high-cost "in-service vehicle hours" constant. In contrast, the TSM Alternative would increase "in-service vehicle hours" 7.6 percent and vehicle miles almost 9 percent, while producing a gain of less than one percent in transit trips. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would produce a ridership increase equal to the TSM Alternative but· have associated with it about 6 percent fewer vehicle miles and 6 percent fewer "in-service vehicle hours." Thus, the operating efficiency of transit services would be improved with implementation of the LRT/Parker Road Alternative, which would require the same amount of "in-service vehicle hours," produce more vehicle miles, require fewer vehicles, and generate increased ridership. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would generate more vehicle vehicle miles and require fewer vehicles, but there would be an increase in "in-service vehicle hours'" and the gain in ridership would be almost insignificant. The number of vehicles trips required for the LRT alternatives would be almost 4 percent less than required for the No-Build Alternative. This would be reflect in maintenance savings. The gain in ridership associated with the TSM Alternative would be almost insignificant despite significant increases in "in-service vehicle hours" and the requirement for more vehicles. Vehicle trips would be 4 percent greater than for the No-Build Alternative. Increased vehicle trips, miles, and hours will be reflected in increased maintenance costs. Public Accept:ance DART's Transit System Plan was adopted after extensive community review and discussion. LRT service in the Study Corridor is included in this plan. Delays in the implementation of elements of the Transit System Plan (i.e., extension of the LRT Starter system) in the Study Corridor resulted in the formulation of a plan to construct the HOV lane in the center of US 75. With the passage of ISTEA, there now is a format for evaluating the two separate solutions to transportation problems in the Study Corridor. Public acceptance varies with the alternatives, according to the degree to which an area is benefited through support for the current lifestyle and community/neighborhood aspirations. The TSM Alternative and the LRT alternatives would serve to focus travel patterns/activity and require a change in commuting practices. The TSM Alternative, which would offer significantlY expanded express bus service, would provide somewhat exclusive, personalized service from various communities/neighborhoods in the .Study Corridor to the center city via the LRT station at Park Lane. The express bus routes may even take on an identity with respect to the areas served. In contrast, the LRT alternatives would orient a larger portion of the Study Corridor's regionally-oriented 101 transit travel to a single "spine." Most north-south commuters opting to use transit would move through the study Corridor by way of the LRT service, operating on the former SPRR tracks. Local, feeder bus service would provide access to the LRT service. There also would be park-and-ride options at some stations. Both proposals call for a transfer to the LRT system; public acceptance would bea matter of when and under what conditions this transfer would take place. 102 r: l􀁲􀁾 ( . Iij 103 Chapter I'ive COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS 01' ALTBRHATIVES The analysis presented in this chapter identifies trade-offs among the No-BUild, TSM, and LRT Alternatives. Specific measures (absolute or relative) of the impacts of each alternative are related to specific measures (absolute or relative) of the impacts of every other alternative. A summary of findings is presented in matrix form to aid in decision-making. The similarities among alternatives are highlighted below. Predicted or anticipated impacts are divided into three categories: • Those with similar but negligible values for all alternatives considered; • Those with similar but significant values; and • Those with diverse values. Similarities Of Xinor Consequence Similarities Among Alternatives 5.1.1.1 5.1.1 o None of the alternatives should have any significant impacts on vegetation, wildlife, or aquatic habitats. o None of the alternatives would create barriers to social interaction or community cohesion. The guideway associated with the LRT alternatives would be Wholly contained within the DART/SPRR ROW (except possibly at Royal Lane), following the 5.1 Trade-Offs Among Alternatives The trade-offs analysis is undertaken to gain an understanding of the major differences among, the alternatives being considered. It also is intended to reveal the degree to which each of the alternatives achieves the stated goals of this project. The first consideration focuses on measures of specific impacts that are similar among alternatives. The second consideration focuses on the differences between alternativesl• Measures of impacts are expressed quantitatively whenever possible and compared on the basis of the incremental differences between them. For those impacts which are qualitative in nature, the differences between alternatives are described in narrative form and the significance of the differences are assessed. Where the differences of impact between alternatives are significant, the size and nature of that difference will be presented. Lastly, there is a discussion of the various interests that would be affected with implementation of the different alternatives. rf·o..:.---rr[[[[LLr [r.-.! L[' [[(.-. 􀀭􀁾 􀀨􀁾􀀮 bt'.'·' .. ,.... existing railroad tracks which already creates a corridor within, or boundary between, some neighborhoods. o None of the alternatives are expected to produce any net change in growth or development at the regional level. o All alternatives potentially could have adverse noise impacts, but adequate means are available for mitigation. Similarities Of Kajor consequence o The LRT alternatives potentially would aid in achieving air quality objectives, because travelers (particularly commuters) would be encouraged to leave their automobiles and ride transit. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative is expected to divert the 􀁨􀁩􀁧􀁨􀁾􀁳􀁴 number of auto trips to transit; therefore, the potential contribution of this alternative to regional air quality also would be the highest. The TSM Alternative potentially would result in a slight improvement in air quality, because the provision of expanded express bus service and circulator routes is expected to attract commuter trips. o The LRT alternatives potentially would impact wetlands which exist along the DART/SPRR ROW. oooo New transit center and station facilities would focus transit services for the rider. Any major investment in enhanced transit services and facilities would publicize a commitment to current riders and potential riders. The estimated annual O&M costs associated with the alternatives would not vary significantly, ranging form $175.4 million under the No-Build Alternative to $185.2 million under the LRT/Parker Road Alternative. There would be no significant difference between the build alternatives. Annual travel time saved for existing and new riders with implementation of the LRT/Parker Road Alternative is forecast to be 1.5 million hours compared to the TSM Alternative. Annual travel time savings accruing to the other two LRT alternatives has been estimated at 950,000 and 1.13 million hours for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative and LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity, respectively. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative potentially would result in estimated travel time savings of $6.08 million annually for existing and new riders, when compared to the TSM Alternative. The value of annual travel time savings, relative to the TSM . Alternative, would be $3.07 million for theLRT/Arapaho Road Alternative and $4.61 million for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity option. 104 )[' III.:. rII rI 105 o The LRT alternatives potentially would require acquisition of strips of property from the Royal Oaks Country Club and golf course and White Rock Creek Greenbelt. o The LRT alternatives include the potential for future development of an HOV facility within the DART/SPRR ROW to the extent that the cost of LRT system development is not affected. Diverse Levels Of Xmpact o The LRT alternatives potentially would require significant acquisition of property and ROW for the development of stations and park-and-ridefacilities. o The estimated capital cost for major investment in transit services and facilities varies from about $44.9 million for the TSMAlternative to $324.1 million for the LRT/parker Road Alternative. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would be the least cost LRT alternative with an estimated capital cost of $215.3 million. Initial, near-term (1996-2001) LRT development costs associated with the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity option would be $267.6 million. It should be noted noted that the ultimate cost of $333.6 million for the LRT/Parker Road AlternativeIntermediate capacity option, which calls for staged development of LRT service beyond Arapaho' Road, . would be slightly higher that the LRT/Parker Road' Alternative. The greater capital cost of staged implementation would result from delaying construction of the full,·F'double track LRT system and various other design and construction factors. "T' o The LRT/Parker Road Alternative would serve a projected resident population of about 163,000 persons and employment of about 238,000 within 1 mile of stations. This is significantly higher than the other two LRT alternatives and more than double that of the TSMAlternative. o The extent of visual/aesthetic impacts likely would be greater for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative, because a greater number of sensitive resources and receptors potentiallY would be affected. The TSM Alternative would be expected to have fewer 5.1.1.3 o The LRT/Parker Road Alternative would add 5,400 new transit riders daily to DART's LRT system. The other two LRT alternatives would be produce significantly less new riders: 3,400 for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative!and 3,800 for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity option. o The LRT alternatives potentially would impact a different number of parklands, because the length of the project and the number of stations varies. 5.1.2 o visual impacts, because this alternative does not require installation of an overhead catenary system and its principal elements would be developed within the existing transportation environment of US 75. However, proposed improvements to existing transit centers and construction of new facilities could result in some localized impacts. Difference Between Alternatives The TSM Alternative would include four transit centers directly served by dedicated Express Bus Routes. The transit centers would have expandedpark-and-ride and kiss-and-ride facilities. Direct access to US 75 would be available for each transit center. Expanded park-and-ride and kiss-and-ride would be developed at the LRT Park Lane Station. o TheLRT/Parker Road Alternative would include eight (8) stations plus a "Special Events" station in the Plano Downtown area. These stations would be located near or at: Walnut Hill, Royal Lane, LBJ Freeway, Spring Valley, Arapaho Road, campbell Road, SH 190, 15th Street (Special Events), and Parker Road. Dedicated "circulator" bus service would be established between stations, and "feeder" bus service would be oriented to the LRT stations. 11.-'...'. -I\ 􀁾 . ooo The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity would not include the Campbell Road, SH 190, and 15th Street Special Events stations. These three stations were identified as "low-activity" stations, because travel demand forecasts predicted total activity (Le., boardings plus alightings) would be less than 2,000 per day. During initial screening of potential ridership in the Study corridor, an activity level of 2,000 was considered the minimum acceptable for inclUding a station vicinity in the LRT system. The Parker Road station significantly exceeded the threshold of 2,000 boardings and alightings in all scenarios tested. Therefore, it is considered reasonable to extend LRT service to Parker Road while bypassing the intermediate, poor-performing station vicinities. Dedicated "circulator" bus service would be established between stations, and "feeder" bus service would be oriented to the LRTstations. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative would add five (5) stations to the LRT Starter System: Walnut Hill, Royal Lane, LBJ Freeway, Spring 􀁶􀁾􀁬􀁬􀁥􀁹􀀬 Arapaho Road. 0 Dedicated "circulator" bus servl.ce would be· established between stations, and "feeder" bus service would be oriented to the LRT stations. The LRT alternatives potentially could require the removal of the T&NO RR bridge of. White Rock Creek, depending on the alignment selected at Royal Lane. 106 l-II rr,:',-,' [.r["LL[[rr[􀁛􀀺􀁾 .".::: 􀁲􀀧􀁾 .􀁾 [.'" 􀀧􀁾 ..:; [[i 􀁾I"r >-",' t·; o The LRT alternatives likely would result in construction activity in the White Rock Creek Greenbelt and floodplain. The significance of potential impacts would depend on the alignment selected at Royal Lane. o The TSM Alternative would increase transit accessibility through the expansion of traditional express bus commuter services, while the LRT alternatives would increase transit accessibility through an intermodal approach, using a combination of modes (Le., bus,express bus, circulator/feeder bus, and LRT). o The base operating headways for all LRT alternatives has been established at 10 minutes for the Peak Period and 15 minutes for the Off-Peak Period. These operating headways would be maintained on the segment between Park Lane and Arapaho Road, which is common to all alternatives. The LRT/Arapaho Road would not operate north of Arapaho Road-in the city of Richardson. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate capacity would operate at 20 minute Peak and 30 minute Off-Peak headways north of Arapaho Road because of the single track operation. 5.1.3 􀁁􀁦􀁦􀁥􀁣􀁾􀁥􀁤 􀁚􀁮􀁾􀁥􀁲􀁥􀀸􀁾􀀸 o AM and PM commuters to the Dallas CaD would benefit mostly by the implementation of the network of express bus routes proposed under the TSM Alternative, because the need to transfer to LRT service would not exist. o Dri vers and service personnel of DART I s bus system would benefit more with implementation of the TSM Alternative, because there would be more operating hours. o The downtown areas of Richardson and Plano would benefit from the establishment of regular LRT service, connecting to the Dallas CaD and the regional LRT system. o The real estate and development interests in the Corridor would be benefitted more by the establishment of permanent LRT service with fixed property investment. Land adjacent the station sites gain slightly in value with permanent transit facilities and services • 5.2 􀁅􀁶􀁡􀁬􀁵􀁡􀁾􀁩􀁯􀁮 Summary Figure 5.1 presents a summary of the principal evaluation criteria defined fOr this Corridor Planning study of the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane. Performance measures for each of the evaluation criteria employed in the matrix have been extracted from the information presented in Chapter Four. In general, the LRT/Parker Road Alternative would result in the greatest 107 [.•..••.• 1f" II\.-"-IL r· I 1I I1 '1IJII..l1I '1r J:}1 Alternative Table 5-1 No-Build TSM LRT/Arapaho Road LRTlParker Road LRTlParker Road Evaluation of Alternatives (MOS) Staged Implementation Full Development olixpaldl c:aneza luiSerYice olDcludel ProjoclI 􀁯􀁦􀁎􀁾􀁂􀁵􀁩􀁉􀁤􀁾 o􀁾ProjedI 􀁯􀁦􀁎􀁾􀁂􀁵􀁩􀁉􀁤AJIamatMI olDcJudel Projects of 􀁎􀁾􀁂􀁵􀁩􀁉􀁤A.JIiDrmdiwl o Inc1udeI Projects of􀁎􀁾􀁂􀁵􀁩􀁉􀁤AlIIlm ative North Central Corridor, North of Park Lane olnc1udllll 􀁐􀁮􀀮􀁰􀁾HCNlAB CIIl us 75 o Adcfirim,l RoIdway OpanJiaIIIl.l: o Ex1amica. of LRI' StmDr 8yIJIm to Arapmo olimlllioa of LRI' St.a1Dr SysJIlm to PIlrbrr o Ex1amica.ofLRI' StmDr SyRiIDto PIriIIlr .I: LBJ FnlDway Low-CoIt PhyIiI:allmpco-ma (LAP) Ro.d ill RicbudIaa Ro8d ill PIIDo Ro.d ill PIaDo olnc1udllll atber'I'taouahf-lwpco-ms o Experwim ofExiItiq PII'kt-LRI' oPMNew LRI' SIlItimJI o Six Now LRI' StatioDI o BiabtNewLRI' Stadaal plul SpecialB_ o LRI' TermimIIat PIrkt-SUtioD PIrtiD& FKility o 10 IDimlJD Iad_y ill Peak PIIriodI o 2D IIIiDuID Iadway ill Peak PeriodI North of Platform ill PImo o BillA_Ramp to us 75 HOVt-at o ReswI:nnd Bill R!L .I: 7 MInExpre. R!L .6.8 mile Double Track Guideway ArapUo Road LRI' Statioa • 10 IIIiDuID HIlIdway ill PeakPeriodI RicbardIoa.Tnmil CeDIBr o 8UlI A_llampIto us 75 HOYU-o BIll Feedar SeMalto orr-it Statklas o 12.3 mile DoubIB .I: SiDaJeTack Guideway o 123 mile DoubIBTack Guideway Evaluation Criteria/Performance Measures at East PIaDo .I:SH 190 orr-it CeDIBr wiJhSidiDp o BIll Feeder SeMalto TllIDIil Statioaa o Cireulalllr Semce flll' '1'nIIIIit CemIn o Bill Feeder SeMco to TllIDIil Statklas N/A =Not Applicable olmprvwldA_flll' North Cemnl Polll Fe. TRAVEL & MOBILITY • Population within 1 mile of Transit Stations/Centers N/A 67,000 97,000 109,000 163,000 • Change in Daily Systemwide Transit Riders N/A Base +3,500 +3,800 +5,400 • Average Transit Travel Time to CBD from: -LBJ StationINorth Central Transit Center 26 26 21 21 21 -Arapaho Road Station 35 35 26 26 26 -Parker Road SJation 40 40 40 32 34 • Travel Time Savings (Annual Hours) N/A Base +948,800 +1,129,100 +1,536,900 . Roadways • Reduction in Daily Roadway Vehicle Miles +18,460 Base -62,480 -68,160 -96,560 Traveled (VMf) EQUITY • Employment within 1 Mile of Transit Stations/Centers N/A 117,780 164,000 172,000 238,000 ENVIRONMENTAL • Number of Noise Sensitive Sites Potentially Affected N/A N/A 20 34 34 • Number of Sensitive VISual/Aesthetic Resources N/A N/A 11 15 15 Potentially Affected • Number of Parklands Potentially Affected N/A 1 4 5 5 • Number of Potential Displacements None None 2 2 2 • Change inAir Emissions +0.2 Tons/Day Base -0.6 Tons/Day -0.7 Tons/Day -1.0 Tons/Day COSTIFINANCIAL FEASffiILITY • Added Capital Cost (Millions) Base +$44.9M +$215.3M +$267.6M +$324.1M • Available Capital Funding 1996-2001* N/A $240-$250M $240-$250M $240-$250M $240-$250M • Added Annual Operating & Maintenance Cost Base +$8.2M +$7.6M +$6.3M +$9.8M (Millions of 1993 Dollars) • Cost-Effectiveness Index (CEI) N/A Base $9.83 $11.25 $12.24 • FY 1993-946mnsi,J P1ap 108 rr r[[.•.., '. rLlr: [rL. [[LL transportation benefits, considering accessibility, ridership, travel time, and emissions reduction. However, it would carry with it the greatest social and environmental impacts. This alternative also would require the largest capital investment, exceeding available capital funds by $74 to $84 million and resulting in the highest annual O&M costs ($9.8 million). The computed value of the Federal cost-effectiveness index for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative is $12.24. The TSM Alternative would require the least capital investment, but this alternative's annual O&M costs would be relatively high. No significant social or environmental impacts would be manifest with implementation of this alternative. Accessibility for work or commute trips would be significantly enhanced with implementation of the expanded Express Bus service through four transit centers. But, neither travel time nor accessibility would be improved to a significant degree. The LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative and the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity would be roughly comparable in terms of benefits and impacts. Because the latter alternative involves extending LRT service to Parker Road, certain environmental effects (noise, visual/aesthetic, and parkland impacts) are associated with it that are not associated with the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative. The LRT/Parker Road Alternative Intermediate Capacity would require a larger capital investment, exceeding the expected availability of capital funds by $18 to $28 million. On the plus side, the annual O&M costs for this alternative ($6.3 million) would be less than for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative ($7.6 million). The computed Federal cost-effectiveness index for the LRT/Arapaho Road Alternative is $9.83; this is less than that computed for the LRT/Parker Road Alternative -Intermediate Capacity option ($11.25). 109 ( -fi[I !I [r([rl[It II'-rrl[rLr[t[ Chapter Six OXT STEPS There are several steps to be completed from this point in order to advance the proposed extension of the LRT system for the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane, into Preliminary Engineering and, ultimately, fUll implementation. 6.1 Public Review/Involvement Public involvement remains a critical component of project development process, which involves narrowing and refining a list of reasonable alternatives to an LPA. Therefore, community meetings and other pUblic involvement opportunities will be instituted. This Evaluation of Alternatives Report will be subjected to pUblic review in the same manner as the AA/DEIS. Several informational meetings will be conducted throughout the Study Corridor. These meetings will focus on apprising affected agencies and interested citizens of the contents of this Evaluation of Alternatives Report and findings and conclusion contained herein. The recommended LPA, as determined from the evaluation, will be identified at these meetings. Persons attending the meetings will have the opportunity to comment on or ask questions about the alternatives, the LPA, and/or assessments as to potential transportation effects or environmental impact. The informational meetings will be held during a formal public review period of 30 days. A formal pUblic hearing (s) will be conducted at the end of this review period. At the public hearing(s), DART staff will summarize the key aspects of the proposed project and highlight critical findings and conclusions. Public comments then will be received. 6.2 select LPA After the pUblic review/involvement activity is completed and comments are received, an LPA will be selected by the DART Board of Directors. Their decision will be based on the findings and conclusions documented in this Evaluation of Alternatives Report and other pertinent information that may be deemed critical to selection of the LPA. The Board also will consider comments and concerns raised during pUblic review of the Evaluation of Alternatives Report, including input from the public, interest groups, and government agencies. The DART Board will forward its decision to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the regional planning body, for action. The NCTCOG will consider the decision of the DART Board and define an appropriate line of action, given the regional transportation planning and development program and available funds. 110 6.3 Prepare LPA Report A Locally Preferred Alternative Report will be prepared, following official action by NCTCOG adopting a specific action for transportation improvements in the North Central Corridor, north of Park Lane. The LPA Report will provide a description of the preferred technology of the LPA and its alignment, operating plan, estimated costs, and associated financing plan. The LPA Report will be submitted to FTA with a request to initiate Preliminary Engineering and prepare the Draft and Final Environmental Impact statement (FEIS) on the project. This process is intended to provide DART and FTA with the information necessary to assure that any transportation improvement built in the study Corridor represents a wise use of pUblic funds, and that community and environmental impact issues related to its construction and operation are taken into account. 6.4 BZs/Bnqineerinq/Desiqn FTA approval of the grant application will permit DART to initiate the preliminary Engineering phase of the project development process. Under the new planning regulations, it is during this phase that the Draft and Final EIS documents will be prepared. The EIS is assembled from information in all areas of technical analysis. The document will provide a detailed description of the LPA, affected environment, expected impacts, and mitigation measures. Implementation of the LPA will· be evaluated against doing nothing (Le., a No Build or "No Action" alternative). The DEIS will be circulated for public examination, review, and comment. Specific coordination will be maintained with affected government agency during this review process. Review of the DEIS will be followed by revisions, as necessary to respond to comments received, and preparation of the FEIS. With pUblication of the FEIS and certain other administrative actions on the part of FTA, DART can proceed into Final Engineering/Final Design and then construction/Implementation phases of project development. 111 \i HDWARD PUTNAM ENTPR. '. TEL:214-985-9827 nII II Apr 30,92 9:28 No.OOt P.Ol 􀁾􀁜􀀺􀁾􀁾􀀺􀁦􀁩􀁾 . _ 􀁟􀁾 _ " 􀀮􀁾􀀮􀁾􀁾􀁬 .,._ 􀁾􀁾􀁉 HERE COMES A FAXI 􀀢􀀮􀁟􀀭􀁾􀁟􀀮 --From Howard, £!.utnam 6l!IJlmr.168s SeJl",l.ding .,..1_.. ,rages Enclud1Jl)JJ[ 1'hi!LPage DAti:••i:.J.'?:.:1.k-.... CQY.MEHD=__••••􀀤􀀽􀀽􀁾••-==__M.M--.= 􀁾􀁯 􀁾􀀬 OUR PHONE & FAX IS: 214-985-9827 􀁬􀀱􀀽􀀮􀀽􀀺􀀽􀀽􀁾􀀮􀀧􀁗 􀀢􀀮􀀽.....􀁾􀁾􀁟􀀮􀁾􀀬.􀀮..􀀬􀀽􀀽􀀺􀀺􀀻􀀻􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀭􀀽􀀽􀀽􀀽􀀮􀁾 HOWARD PUTNAM ENTPR. TEL:214-985-9827 Apr 30,92 9:28 No.OOl P.02 The Morning News plans to run this 1n about a week, according to Carolyn Barta, Editor of the viewpoints page. This is for your information in anticipation of your Mayors meeting tomorrow. Please do not make copies for distribution before it appears. I gave a copy to Florence this morning. She agrees. §􀁾 April 30, 1992 ( F A X TO: Lynn Spruill 􀁾 Mayor-city of Addison 􀁾 Good Morning Lynn •.•••••• 􀁾a= 􀁾 Best of regards" 􀁾􀀭􀀭􀀮􀁊 1f.D,ard Putnam ·,·,f· Howard D. Putnam Enterprises P.O. Box 196336 Dallas, Teras 75.'179.6336 (214) 985·9821 HOWARD PUTNAM ENTPR. TEL:214-985-9827􀀮􀁄􀀮􀁒􀁁􀁬􀀮􀁾 Apr 30,92 9:28 No.OOl P.03 . FOR: DALLAS MORNING NEWS CAROLYN BARTA/VIEWPOINTS TO BE SUBMITTED ON MONDAY, MAY 4, 1992 HOWARD D. PUTNAM 4/29/92214-985-9827 · HOWARD PUTNAM ENTPR. TEL:214-98S-9827 Apr 30,92 9:31 No.OOl P.OS Putnam/Barta/Viewpoints Page 2 coming to the end of an era. Many of the active civic servants Were ending careers in public service and/or retiring from business. Then the Texas downfall of oil, real estate, and banking took many participants aotive in community projects, like DART, out of circulation. people had other priorities and concerns. As banks and companies disappeared that we had known, others appeared with new names, new approaches and out of state ownership. Finanoial interests and survival outweiqhed efforts for strong leadership in a united effort. Whenever that occurs, and a vacuum is created, then the door is open for special interest groups to publicize and politicize their agendas. For the last several years Dallas has, been in political and racial gridlock, and I see no signs of a short term solution. DART has become the whipping post for these attacks and agendas. Its organization makes it vulnerable and an easy targ&t. DART as structured was probably doomed from day one, we just wouldn't admit it. As a board member in year one, we 􀁾 saw that a twenty-five person board was not workable. We saw that with Dallas having control of the voting that the suburbs were always going to be scratching for their share of service and attention. Even without the bickering within Dallas , the process would be a difficult one. Recent discussions to change to a smaller and elected board would do little in my opinion to 􀁩􀁾􀁰􀁲􀁯􀁶􀁥 the prooess. ,HOWARD PUTNAM ENTPR. 􀁔􀁅􀁌􀀺􀁾􀀱􀀴􀀭􀀹􀀸􀀵􀀭􀀹􀀸􀀲􀀷 Apr 30,92 9:28 No.OOl P.04 putnam/Barta/Viewpoints Page 1 JWrl Bail. PrgSJra.a Should Ja TerminAted i Future Implications Some will say we don't need another article on DART. others will say, leave Jack Evans, the neW Executive Direotor of DART, alone as he needs time to begin anew. I have known Jack Evans for years and have great respect for his business acumen and civic leadership abilities. This viewpoint has nothing to do with any ohe individual. These thoughts are not an attempt to place blame. That is of no value to the process. These comments are offered from the perspective of one who served on the original DART board in 1983, as the representative for Plano. From day one I supported the DART concept baaed on the need for a regional ground transportation network. Even when many 􀁾􀁡􀁲􀁑 getting off the bandwagon, or train, I hung on. Three years ago I cochaired the effort in Plano to approve the referandum to stay in DART. For all of its mistakes, faUlts and bureaucracy, I supported the conoept in the 􀁩􀁮􀁴􀁥􀁲􀁾􀁳􀁴 of a reqional network. But in the past year, I have changed my mind and have conoluded it is time to terminate or derail the rail part of DART. Why after nine years and hundreds of millions of sales tax dollars invested and some wasted, would I now want to burst the bubble? Here is why. DART was conceived over a decade ago under another name and different leadership. We were still in an economic boom era. However the leadership, especially in Dallas, was HOWRRD PUTNRM ENTPR. TEL:214-985-9827 Rpr 30,92 9:31 No.OOl P.06 putnam/Barta/Viewpoints Page 3 Maybe some gooa has 􀁣􀁯􀁾􀁥 out of this nine year excursion of wanderinq through the wilderness looking for a place to lay our tracks. The metroplex has changed dramatically in growth patterns and demographics. Dallas 1s no longer the hub and everyone else the spokes. The term metroplex is probably outdated., for it is truly a "region'l and rapidly expanding northward. toward the Red River, across the IITrinity Commons. II In Plano we are just complet.ing phase one of our "Vision· 2015" project. A year long prooess with leaders from across the community to anticipate and aim Plano in a positive direct.ion looking out twenty five years. Dr. Don Beck of the National Values Center in Denton, has facilitated the process. At t.his point it is only 􀁾 framework and a scaffolding. As soon as the Plano city council sees it. for the first time and has their input, then it will be taken to the people for their input and opportunity to put meat on the careus. It is their cit.y. What the first phase clearly shows is that the reqion is ,. becoming a grid, a spider web with several key destinations. Irving, LOs Colinas, Arlington, Garland, Addison, and Plano to name a few, have emerged in these years as the homes of Fortune 500 companies and have become eoonomic entities in and of themselves. Travel patterns have changed. In Plano for example as many people come to Plano to work each day as go somewhere else. 50-50, and ten years 8g0 it was 80% leaving for work. The rail plan as designed years ago does HOWARD PUTNAM ENTPR. TEL:2l4-985-9827 Apr 30,92 9:33 No.002 P.Ol Putnam/Barta/Viewpoints page 4 not meet the needs for the year 2000 and beyond. It will be outdated before it is ever built. The growth is across and between suburban destinations, not into and out of Dallas. . Rail is intrusive into neighborhoods. It is expensive and inflexible. Onoe there, it is permanent. And certainly at qrade or street level, it isn't very rapid. What has worked has been the ability to adapt the bus and van system qUickly to the needs of the customer. HOV lanes, high occupancy vehicle lanes, for buses again follow the flow and the expense is minimal compared to rail. Under that approach DART beomes a muoh simpler, lower cost bureaucraoy and 􀁥􀁾􀁩􀁥􀁲 to run. It can then truly become a network for. the region. Does it need to be 􀁴􀁡􀁸􀁰􀁾􀁹􀁥􀁲 owned? What about examininq privatization? The old argument about rail saving enerqy and being more efficient 1s a weak one. Alternative sourees of fuel will be here in one form or another for buses, vans and autos. Our society demands flexibility and independence. Rail no longer fulfills that request. For years we have been tauqht how to reduce stress. You 􀀮􀁾 can't medicate a problem forever. The real solution is to remove the cause of the problem. In the case of the quest for regional transportation ••..•• put rail to bed_ •.• take DART out of the political stress ••••• and put our dollars to work in a productive manner. From: Jerry Hiebert To: Mayor. Rich Beckert To:Beckert, Mayor, Rich From: Gary A. Slagel, Mayor Oate:6/24/93 Pages: 7 Dale: 6/24/93 Time: 16:11 :51 rI • 􀀮􀁟􀀧􀀭􀀭􀀭􀁾 􀀧􀁐􀁾􀁧􀁥 1 of 7 Fax Number Comments: 9960-7684 Please call Eileen Hanson at 214-238-4249 if any pages of this fax are not received. 􀁆􀁾􀁯􀁭􀀺 Jerry Hiebert To: Mayor. Rich Beckert Dale: 6/24/93 Time: 16:12:35 COR DEVELOPMENT SVCS TEL No.1-214-238-4247 Page 2017 Jun 24,93 15:55 No .032 P.Ol =============8 2_. 4 TO: . FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: DART Suburban Member City Mayors June 24, 1993 New IS-Member DART Board Appomtments The following cities have agreed to aggregate their populations for the purpose of appointing DART Board representatives: 1. Dallas Plano Glenn Heights Cockrell Hill 2. Richardson Highland Park University Park Addison Buckingham 3. Carrollton Irving 4. Farmers Branch Garland Rowlett Most of these cities are now in the process of making their appointments as well as finalizing their draft agreements with the cities in their group. In making your appointments, be sure to make them effective July 2, 1993, to avoid any legal technicality related to the legislation not officially taking effect until July 1. Attached is another copy of the draft agreement prepared by the City of Plano which several of the cities have already agreed to utilize. The majority of the appointments are expected to be made by July 5. The first currently scheduled meeting of the new Board is July 27. !'. U Rox i\:liIaOH From: Jerry Hiebert To: Mayor. Rich Beckert Dale: 6/24/93 Time: 16:13:48 COR DEVELOPMENT SVCS TEL NO.1-214-238-4247 Jun 24,93 􀁊􀁕􀁴􀁾􀀭􀀱􀀶􀀭􀀱993 13: 57 FROI'1 CI 1'1 OF PLANO TO P.O. Box 8603S8 Plano. T9XiS 7SOS6-0358 214444'111 Fax. No. 214-424-009' MEMORANDUM DATE; June 16, 1993 Page 3 01 7 15:55 No.032 P.02 .238424':' P.82 TO: SUburban DART Mayors FROM: James N. Muns Mayor, city of Plano SUBJECT: Draft Aggreqation Appointment Agreement Attached is a preliminary draft of the agreement we discussed with the City of Dallas at our meeting on Monday, June 14, 1993. M(jyor ;eiitL·tlett has received Q copy for consideration regarding partioipation with the cities aggreqating their population for the ninth board member for pallas and other cities. Based on discussion with some of the members, this draft is provided should your city desire a similar agreement. In essence, this agreement provides veto power of ANY member city allowing the use of their population for additional bOartt appointments. Please advise advise if you have any suggestions or comments. I can be reaohed at 867-3997 or you may forward comments to Assistant City Manager James McCarley at 578-7122 or via fax 424-0099. JNM/wkt Attachment ,....agtt ... UI I Jun 24,93 15:55 No.032 P.03 TO 2384247 p. 03 uale: 0/o!:4/lji;S lime: 10: 1:>:Ulj TEL No.1-214-238-4247 FR0i'1 CIT'Y OF 􀁐􀁌􀁲􀀺􀁬􀁾􀁾􀁏 ....rom: Jerry HleDen 10: Mayor. lilCn tleCKen COR DEVELOPMENT SVCS JLlN-1S-1993 13:58 DRAFT RESOLUTION NO. It RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AFFIRMING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY 01" ==--:-:.=-==:--==--' REGARDING THE SELECTION 􀁐􀁒􀁏􀁃􀁾􀁓􀁓 FOR A SHARED MEMBER TO '!'Kt; 􀁕􀁁􀁾􀁬􀁷􀁁􀀤 AREA RAPID TRANSIT (DART) BOARD. KHBRBAS, A.rticle 1118Y, Vernons TeXaS civil statute, as amended, 􀁰􀁾􀁯􀁶􀁩􀁤􀁑􀁓 􀁣􀁩􀁴􀁩􀁾􀁾 hRVi"9 a fractional allocation for board membership to aggregate 1ts population with another city 􀁾􀁯 oppoint Q 􀀮􀁥􀁾􀁢􀁯􀁲􀀬 􀁾􀁮􀁤 􀀸􀁰􀁰􀁯􀁩􀁮􀁴􀁾􀁥􀁮􀁴 shall agree on a method of makinq this appointment' ana WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City of in conjunction with the city(s) of to afjlqreqate population tor the selection of a DART Boardmember; and WHEREAS, it 􀁨􀁾􀁳 beQn determined by the city Council the most effective method to promot.e an area-wide approach to rS9ional mobility and transportation is aohievement of this appointment through consensus of participating 􀁣􀁩􀁴􀁩􀁥􀁳􀁾 MOW. '1'H'F.RIlFORE. BE IT RESOLVED BY TB£ _ CITY COUNCIL THAT: SD':tOJl 1. The City of ________-, and I will 􀁬􀁉􀁬􀁵􀁾􀁵􀀮􀁬􀀱􀁹 a9ree upon a candidate to serve as a DART Boardmember making use Of 􀁦􀁲􀁾􀁣􀁴􀁩􀁯􀁮􀁡􀁬 POPUlation 􀁾􀁕􀁪􀀧􀀺􀁊􀂣􀂷􀀱􀁯􀀡􀀱􀀺􀁊􀀱􀀺􀀱􀀱􀀮􀀱􀁵􀁮 tor a fu.ll Soardmember. It will be preferred that this candidate who will serve more than one City Shall nave relJLuUld qualifications of interest bacx9rouna and experience. 􀁓􀁉􀁓􀀧􀁬􀀧􀁾􀀰􀀱􀁦 2. The City having the hiqbest. percent.age of the fractional allocation shall submit a candidate for .....agl:l ;) 01 I Jun 24,93 15:55 No.032 P.04 TO 2384247 F',l:l4 uate: O/""/lM lime: 10: 10:<::> TEL NO.1-214-238-4247 FRO/"I CITY OF PLANO t-rom: Jerry HleDen 10: Mayor. Hlcn tleCKen =OR DEVELOPMENT Sf.)CS JUN-15-1993 13:59 Recolutio1'1 NO. fJRAFT approval by the other cities through the Mayor of, each city. If all cities concur with the nomination, thl.! lh..tiv1auAl will be the DART Board appointment. SIC'l'Iotf 3. If concurrence with all cities is not reached on the individual nominated, another candidate must be proposed for consideration. This candidate, and any subsequent 􀁮􀁯􀁭􀁩􀁮􀁡􀁴􀁩􀁯􀁮􀁾􀀬 may be proposed by any of the member cities part:icipating in BCilQrEl9aUon of population. All municipallties participating in the agqregation for a specific Board seat 􀁾􀁵􀁳􀁴 aqree on the selection of an individual eandldate. DULY PASSED AND APPROVED this the day of • 1993. "alll•• N, MlUv;. MAYOR ATTEST: 􀁾􀁁􀁲􀀮􀁫􀁩􀁾 918kely. CITY SECRETARY APPItOVBD AS TO FOM: Gary r. chatham, CITY ATTORNEY · , . . _, .., . COR DEVELOPMENT SVCS TEL No.1-214-238-4247 JUri 24,'9315:55 No .032 P.OS DART MEMBER CITIES COMPLETE AGREEMENTS TO AGGREGATE AND APPOINT DART BOARD MEMBERS The following cities have agreed to aggregate their populations for the purpose of appointing DART Board representatives: 1. Dallas Plano Glenn Heights Cockrell Hill 2. Richardson Highland Park University Park Addison Buckingham 3. Carrollton Irving 4. Farmers Branch Garland Rowlett SEE ATIACHMENT FOR REPRESENTATlVE ALLOCATION Most cities are in the process of passing resolutions adopting the agreements on the 􀁡􀁾􀁾􀁲􀁥􀁧􀁡􀁴􀁩􀁯􀁮 and on the method of agreeing on shared Board appointments. Most of the CItIes are expected to have their Board members agreed-upon and appointed by July 5. The new legislation becomes effective July 1, 1993, and the first currently scheduled meeting of the new Board is Tuesday, July 27. For information on individual cities' appointments, please contact either the individual city'S mayor or city manager. GH93132 􀁾􀁾 411 W. Arapaho Rd. Richardson, TX 7608O-C6-42 MaIlIq AdlIIw: P.O. Box 830309 Richardllon, TX 76083.0309 From: Jerry Hiebert To: Mayor. Rich Beckert Dale: 6/24/93 Time: 16:19:08 :dR DEVELOPMENT SVCS TEL No.1-214-238-4247 Page 7 of 7 Jun 24,93 15:55 No.032 P.OS BOARD ALLOCATlON* Dallas 8.76 Plano 1.11 Cockrell Hill 0.03 Glenn Heights .Q1M 9.94 Richardson 0.65 Highland Park 0.08 University Park 0.19 Addison 0.08 Buckingham ..0..00 1.00 Carrollton 0.71 Irving .1J.5 2.06 Farmers Branch Garland Rowlett 0.22 1.57 0.20 􀁾 14.99 :$ Based on 1990 census. Dallas allocated 8 members + Plano, Cockrell Hill, Glenn Heights, and Dallas agree on one member. 6/24/93 gb MAV 2 8 93 Regional I • Transportation P.O. Box 5888 • Arlington, Texas 76005-5888 • (817) 64