Kansas City BRT Metro Area Express MAX TRB

Kansas City BRT Metro Area Express (MAX) TRB BRT Conference, July 21, 2008

Metropolitan Kansas City n n n Bi-State (Kansas/Missouri) 1. 8 Million Population Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA): n n Prior to BRT: All Bus Transit System <50, 000 Average Weekday Trips

River Market Southtown Corridor n Regional Employment Center n Civic And Cultural Amenities n Commercial and Retail n Diverse Communities n Slow Transit Service n Declining Transit Ridership n Downtown Crown Center Mid. Town /Main St 2004 Average 3, 200 Daily Trips Country Club Plaza

Light Rail Planning 1970’s to 2000 n n Multiple AA and MIS Studies 1970’s thru 1990’s Starter Line Prelim. Engineering 1995 to 1997 -$250 M Central Business Corridor LRT 1999 to 2001 Failed Sales Tax Vote for LRT August 2001 - $793 M n No local business or political support n BRT if LTR not possible n Satisfied Federal AA Requirement for BRT

Bus Rapid Transit After years of rail planning BRT is not rail, BUT IT CAN: n n Operate like rail Provide rapid transit link between Downtown, Crown Center, and Plaza Be Built and Operate: n At a fraction of the cost of rail n With 80% Federal Funding n NO New Local Taxes ! n In less than 5 years (Actually 3 years) Gain business and political support !

BRT Development Timeframe n Planning n Formal Partnerships 2002 n City and Parks Dept. 2003 n Main St. Community 2003 – Present n Design/Engineering 2003/2004 n Vehicles Ordered 2004 n Construction 2004 -2005 n Operational July 2005

Profile of KCATA BRT n n Arterial Street Running BRT (6 Miles) Simple but Substantial Stations w/Enhanced Amenities n Real-Time Information – All Stations n Exclusive Transit Lanes n Signal Priority – 31 Intersections n Identity / Branding – MAX n 9 Minute Peak Hour Headways n Travel Time Reduced by 20%+

MAX Vehicles / BRT Specific

Vehicle Objectives n Distinctive BRT Design n Identifiable as BRT from Shape & Graphics n Identifiable as BRT Day and Night n Stylish / High Tech. Look n Incorporate New Technology n Affordable n n Maintainable without major facility changes 2004 Unit Price: $323, 000

MAX Vehicles n Fleet of 13 Vehicles n 42’ Low Floor Vehicle n BRT Style n Unique MAX Paint Scheme n Wider Doors & Windows n Improve Knee-Hip Room n 39 Seats n GPS, MDT, TSP n Bike Racks

MAX Street Operations n 7 days a week n 4: 30 am to midnight n 9 -minute headways am & pm peak n 15 minutes midday, Saturday, events n 30 minutes nights and Sundays n Plaza to Downtown: 18 minutes n n Previously 24 minutes Local bus service paired with MAX in corridor

MAX ‘Bus Only’ Lanes n Street Capacity Available n Peak Hour ‘Bus Only’ Lanes n n n Full-Time ‘Bus Only’ Lane Downtown ‘Bus Only’ Lanes 52% of MAX Meets FTA “Fixed Guideway” Requirement (for New Starts)

ITS Technology n n Radio/GPS System (Separately funded) Traffic Signal Priority (TSP) n Upgraded controllers and interconnect (fiber) n New BRT signal timings n TSP When >1 min. late n No Operator Interaction n Goal: 60% to 70% TSP granted ATA MDT & IVLU control and activate onboard emitter

Station Design

MAX Station Design Goals n Reposition Transit Image n Clean, Sleek and Modern n Sense of Permanence n Integrate New Technology n Branding/BRT Identity n n Standard Elements (Site adapted kit of parts) Station Prototype

MAX Station and Amenities Landscaping/Public Art at selected locations where ROW available MAX Marker MAX Shelter Trash Receptacle Sidewalk/Streetscape Improvements n n Named Stations for Community / Neighborhoods Attractive, Well-Lighted Station, Unique to MAX Pedestrian / Sidewalk / Streetscape Improvements Real-Time Bus Arrival Signage and Announcements

MAX Station Shelter and Marker

MAX Station Shelter and Marker

ITS Technology n Real-Time Arrival Information n n Traffic Signal Priority n n All Stations 31 Intersections Automated Announcements Audio and Visual (Sign) n On-board and external n

Station Information Neighborhood and Transit

MAX Capital Cost - $21 -Million • 80% Federal Funding • 20% Local Funding Budget Breakdown (In Millions) • $ 2. 9 Planning, Design & Engineering • $ 4. 3 Vehicles and Inspections • $ 2. 3 Street Paving Construction • $ 1. 8 Traffic Signal and Signal Priority • $ 8. 5 Stop Construction / Installation • $ 0. 7 Admin, Easements, Utility & Legal

MAX Bus Rapid Transit n MAX Opened July 2005 n Ridership Up 50%+ n n Pre-MAX: 3, 200/day n Current: > 6, 000/day High Level of Public Acceptance and Satisfaction

Keys to MAX Success n Early Cooperative Partnerships n City, Community, Main. Cor n Formal ATA / City Agreement n Early Prototype Station n Avoiding ROW Acquisition n Stations on Far Side of Intersections n Funded with Existing Resources n MAX Branding and Marketing

What would we do differently? n More Buses – Small Fleet Challenges n Fewer Station Compromises n n Signal Priority n n More emphasis on far side stations More Lane Dedication (More Hours) No added stations / Maintain spacing Negotiate more transit priority Add intersections Expanded sidewalk improvements More emphasis on ride quality and pavement improvements

Expanding MAX Liberty / KCI Downtown. North Oak State Ave. Independence Ave. Shawnee Mission Pkway Linwood /Highway 40 FTA Small Starts Program Metcalf / College. Troost Main/Wornall - MAX

Troost Corridor n n n Local Transit Service Only 13+ Miles Daily Transit Ridership 7, 500+ Frequent, Closely Spaced Stops Very Slow Service in Urban Core Existing Route # 25 Troost Local Bus Service

Troost BRT Implementation Schedule n n n 2006 – Planning / Update AA Sept. 2006 – Small Starts Funding Submission to FTA Summer 2007 – Complete PE & Project Development 2008 / 2009 – Final Design / Construction Open – Late 2009 / Early 2010

Troost BRT – Very Small Start n n Corridor Based Project (10 Miles – Urban Arterial) Existing Ridership ~ 7, 500 n To > 9000 (20% Increase) n Emphasize MAX Brand n < 10 Min. Peak Headways n 20%+ Time Savings

Troost BRT – Very Small Start n n Substantial Branded Stations n 44 Stations (2 per Intersection) n 2 Park and Rides + Terminus Signal Priority @ 34 Intersections n Low Floor BRT Vehicles (14) n Capital Cost < $3 M per Mile

Troost MAX Station Design n Unique to Troost MAX n Recognizable as MAX Brand n Community Input on Station Naming n More Amenities & Waiting Areas n Multi-Directional Weather Protection n More Lighting & Pedestrian Improvements n Incorporate “Green Elements”

Troost MAX Station Design

Branding MAX on Troost n Maintain MAX n Route Name n Colors n n Vehicle Displays Information Displays

MAX Vehicles -Uniform Fleet with Colored Headsigns - Introduction of Hybrids

Troost MAX Capital Cost - $30. 7 -Million • 80% Federal Funding – VERY SMALL START • 20% Local Funding Budget Breakdown (In Millions) • $ 3. 2 Planning, Design & Engineering • $ 5. 9 BRT Vehicles (Includes 3 Hybrids) • $ 0. 4 Support Facilities (Maintenance) • $ 3. 5 Paving, Streetscape, Sidewalk • $ 2. 5 Systems (Signals, Signs, TVM) • $12. 6 Stations & Park-and-Rides • $ 1. 3 Admin, Easements, Utility & Legal

QUESTIONS?