Commuter Rail Planning

1
Commuter Rail Planning
in the PAG Region
2

• Presentation Outline

• CURRENT PLANNING PROCESS
• RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS
• NEXT STEPS

3

• Current Planning Process

• WHY ARE WE PLANNING FOR RAIL?
• In short, because constituents are asking for
  more alternatives.
• FACTORS
• Quality of life
• Environmental impacts
• Economic competitiveness
• Population growth

4

• Current Planning Process

WHY ARE WE PLANNING FOR RAIL?
5

• Current Planning Process

WHY ARE WE PLANNING FOR RAIL?
6
Current Planning Process

• Current Planning Process

PAG HCT SYSTEM PLAN

• High Capacity Transit System Plan
• Plan initiated in March of 2008
• System approach tied to corridors
• Hierarchy of improvements

7
Current Planning Process

• Current Planning Process

PAG HCT SYSTEM PLAN

• Stakeholder input for corridor selection
• Prioritization based on a number of factors
• Potential ridership
• Capital operating costs
• Right-of-way availability
• Land use compatibility
• Socioeconomic factors

8
Current Planning Process

• Current Planning Process

PLAN OBJECTIVES

• Create a system framework
• Prioritize corridors
• Identify initial implementation corridor
• Inform public and other planning processes

9

• Current Planning Process

EVALUATED CORRIDORS
10

• Current Planning Process

RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS (0-10yrs.)
Express bus
BRT/LRT
Streetcar
11

• Current Planning Process

RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS (10-20yrs.)
Express bus
BRT/LRT
Streetcar
12

• Current Planning Process

RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS (gt20yrs.)
Express bus
BRT/LRT
Streetcar
Commuter Rail
13

• Current Planning Process

COMMUTER RAIL CORRIDORS
14
Current Planning Process

• PRIORITY PROJECTS
• Streetcar extension South Tucson, North of
  University of Arizona and Broadway
• Commuter rail in I-10 corridor
• BRT or LRT along Oracle Road/Stone Ave
• BRT along 6th Avenue
• BRT or LRT along Broadway Boulevard or Speedway
  Boulevard or Grant Road
• BRT along Campbell Avenue/Kino Pkwy to Tucson
  International Airport

15

• Relationship to Other Plans

• Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
• Task Force will review priority projects
• A Menu of projects for the RTP Task Force
• Project selection anticipated in June

BQAZ

• RTP process will dovetail into BQAZ

16

• Next Steps

• Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

• Will the task force support rail?

17

• Next Steps

• Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

• Will the task force support rail?

18

• Next Steps

• Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

• Funding?

19

• Conclusions

In Summary

• Commuter-rail corridors identified as a priority
• Public support for commuter/intercity rail
• Recognize that funding source needs to be
  identified
• Detailed planning for corridors must be initiated

20

• Questions

Jeremy Papuga Transportation Planner jpapuga_at_pag
net.org 792-1093