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Seattle Center City Streetcar Workshop

Seattle Center City Streetcar Workshop. July 20, 2007. What Makes Streetcars Work?. Modern Streetcar Applications. Project Goals. Understand key issues Identify potential streetcar network and implementation priorities

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Seattle Center City Streetcar Workshop

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  1. Seattle Center City Streetcar Workshop July 20, 2007

  2. What Makes Streetcars Work? Modern Streetcar Applications

  3. Project Goals • Understand key issues • Identify potential streetcar network and implementation priorities • Understand that streetcars are only one mode in a major multi-modal system • Realize that once a route is constructed it can not be altered

  4. Transit Plan - Goal … Transit every 15 minutes … 18 hours a day … 7 days a week …

  5. Existing Transit 2006

  6. Next Phase

  7. Seattle Connections 2030

  8. Next 2030 2006

  9. South Lake Union Streetcar • Under construction • Begins operation in fall 2007 • Local Improvement District funding

  10. Actions to Build on • Center City Circulation Report -2003 • Seattle Streetcar Network and Feasibility Analysis -2004 • Westlake Transportation Hub Study -2004 • Seattle Transit Plan -2005

  11. Actions to Build On • Center City Action Strategy • Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement • Sound Transit First Hill Transit Connections • Streetcar Alliance

  12. Why Consider More Streetcars in Seattle? • Attracts up to 40% more riders than bus, all conditions held equal. • New rail lines replacing buses doubled previous bus ridership. • Attracts “choice” markets.

  13. What Explains the Difference? Riders Perspective: • Predictable routes and stops • More stability • Greater ride comfort • Electric – low noise and no fumes • Nostalgia

  14. What’s Different about Streetcars? • Local circulation system • Covers shorter distances • Can operate in mixed traffic • More frequent stops • Rapid and less costly construction • Catalyzes pedestrian-friendly development

  15. Factors Influencing Ridership • Intensity of land use • Mix of land use • Travel time • Frequency • Fares • Connectivity to transit network • Legibility and information • Comfort

  16. Why Not Just Add Nice Buses? Streetcars: • Organize development • Often generate private financing • Attract tourists and occasional riders • Offer “legibility” • Operate better in pedestrian environments.

  17. Streetcars do have their drawbacks • Less flexible • Less maneuverable • Higher maintenance • Once in place it has to succeed • Higher capital investment • Overhead wires

  18. Main differences between streetcar and light rail

  19. But it’s a fine line… Streetcar line in Pittsburgh (1976)

  20. But it’s a fine line… Same line using modern LRT vehicles (1999) Required some track and power upgrades

  21. Streetcar Vehicle Technologies • Modern Vehicles • Portland, Tacoma, Toronto • Restored Vintage Cars • Often PCC cars (San Francisco, Philadelphia) • Nearly exhausted supply • Non-ADA accessible • Cost to acquire, transport and restore • New “Replica” Cars • Built from blueprints of old cars (Charlotte, Memphis) • Can be made ADA accessible

  22. Advantages of Modern Streetcar Technology • Lower maintenance • Low floor and ADA accessible • Higher total capacity • Improved comfort and quieter • Easier to acquire fleet

  23. North American Streetcar ExamplesExisting Systems (modern technology) Portland • One streetcar line, serves as local circulation in downtown • Promotes economic development • Integrated with buses and LRT

  24. North American Streetcar ExamplesExisting Systems (modern technology) Tacoma • One streetcar line • Provides local circulation in downtown • Designed to enhance economic development.

  25. North American Streetcar ExamplesExisting Systems (modern technology) Toronto • 11 lines, 10 pass through downtown (both old and new technology) • Integrated with buses and subway

  26. North American Streetcar ExamplesExisting Systems (heritage) Many examples • San Francisco • Philadelphia • Memphis • New Orleans • Little Rock • Tampa • Tucson • Dallas • Kenosha • Seattle • Charlotte • Others… Memphis Tampa San Francisco “F” Line

  27. Streetcar Systems Planned or Under Development Cities considering streetcars: • Madison • Spokane • Detroit • Sacramento • Vancouver, BC • Atlanta • Boston • Others… Vancouver, BC

  28. Streetcars as an Economic Engine • Portland - more than $3B in economic development • Public  private investment • Capture funding from new development/investments

  29. Capturing the Economic Engine Portland Streetcar After • Property valuesincreased 40% on route • Condos on route sell for$275-$350/sf • 43% of employees use transit

  30. Keys to a Successful Streetcar Corridor • High frequency without LRT capacity demands • Pedestrian- and transit-friendly • Short trips, local access needs and shorter stop spacing • Corridor to serve a variety of markets • Lack of extreme congestion • Integration with broader transit network • Minimal utility conflicts • Geography

  31. How to Integrate Streetcars with Existing Transit Services • Let each system do what it does best! • Ensure visible and legible connections • Frequent service rather than timed connections • Integrated fare media • High quality rider information and way-finding

  32. How Much do Streetcar Lines Cost? • Capital Costs • Estimates using current unit costs • Utility and other variable costs • Operating Costs • Based on a realistic operating plan • Closely coordinated with King County Metro • Validated against peer systems

  33. Streetcar Costs • Operating Costs • Portland experience: $3.7 million annual, $140/ revenue hour • Capital Costs • Cost/mile: Portland ($23.7 to 26.3 million/mile) • Modern vehicles: $2.5 – $4.2 million / vehicle (average $2.9 million) • What drives up the cost? • Geography, turning movements, etc. • Utility relocation

  34. Potential Funding Sources • Federal: • New Starts/Small Starts • Focuses on streetcar, trolley and bus rapid transit • Projects less than $75 million federal share • Total costs cannot exceed $250 million • Goal is expedited review process • Expect significant competition for funds • State/Regional funding • City general funds • King County Metro • Tax increment financing • Parking revenues • Local improvement district • Endowment funds

  35. Candidate Corridors • Center City “Seattle Connections” routes are initial candidates for streetcar service. • Today: • Criteria Evaluation • Mapping Exercise

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