Tom Autrey and Katherine Holt Are Planners in The Countywide Planning Division (Transportation Section) of The Planning Department. Their E-Mail Addresses Are

Tom Autrey and Katherine Holt are planners in the Countywide Planning Division
(Transportation Section) of the Planning Department. Their e-mail addresses are

thomas.autrey@mncppc-mc.org and katherine.holt@mncppc-mc.org.
1
The Orientation is intended to provide background on the Purple Line project as well as
factors that are taken into consideration in the development and evaluation of the
different alternatives. Additional background on the project can be found on the
Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA’s) project web site at:
http://www.purplelinemd.com/pages/overview.html and on the Planning Department’s
web site at:
http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/board/agenda/2007/documents/20070517_Purpl
eLine.pdf where the Draft Purpose and Outreach Report for the Functional Master Plan
can be found.
2
The segment of the Purple Line between Bethesda and Silver Spring is included in an
adopted Master Plan (the Georgetown Branch Master Plan Amendment of January
1990) that is accessible on our web site at: http://www.mc-
mncppc.org/Transportation/documents/georgetown_mp_jan1990.pdf
3
The Purple Line is designed to offer the traveler a real alternative to the single occupant
auto for east west travel connecting major activity centers and transportation facilities.
4
The first line shows some of the major places that would be connected by the Purple
Line.
The second line gives you an idea of the different trip purposes and activities that
would be connected.
The third and fourth lines depict how the Purple Line would connect some of the major
transportation facilities.
5
There are concerns that need to be addressed through the planning process. Some of
these are shown in this slide.
6
The extent to which existing traffic might conflict with Light Rail or Bus Rapid Transit
vehicles has an impact on the average speed and travel time for Purple Line users . The
alternatives under consideration vary in the extent to which the vehicles travel over a
right of way that limits or eliminates these conflicts.
7
Here are two examples of a right of way that is shared. The top photo is taken from a
simulation of a project under consideration in Arlington County VA. The computer
simulation can be found on the project web site:
http://www.piketransit.com/initiative/default_old.aspx. For comparison purposes, a
typical sedan is about 6 feet wide, a bus 8.5 feet wide, a streetcar (like the one above in
Arlington) about 8 feet wide. A more conventional light rail vehicle is about 9 feet wide.
The width of travel lanes on an urban street can vary but are generally between 10.5
and 11.5 feet wide.
8
The new system (January 2004) in Houston operates over dedicated lanes for some or
most of the alignment. The system experienced problems at start-up with auto drivers
going the same direction as the train making left turns in front of the train. The
accident rate has since declined significantly.
9
Exclusive lanes provide the highest average speed by eliminating conflicts with other
vehicles.
10
Light rail and streetcars, in particular, can reinforce a neighborhood scale in many areas
by slowing vehicular traffic and encouraging walking.
11
More photos of a light rail in a residential setting.
12
More photos of a light rail in a residential setting. These photos show on-street parking
for residences.
13
Here are some representative average speeds for different types of service. The “Van
Go” is a circulator service that operates in the middle of downtown Silver Spring.
Metrobus Route J-2 runs between Montgomery Mall and Silver Spring (via Bethesda)
along East West Highway. The average speed for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is for the
Orange Line BRT in Los Angeles. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) average speed is for the
Gold Line LRT – also in Los Angeles. It is useful to consider the percentage differences
in addition to actual difference in average speed.
14
The federal process for evaluating projects of this type (in order to qualify for federal
funding assistance) requires that a range of alternatives be studied for cost
effectiveness, ridership, and impacts.
15
Estimating ridership is done through computer modeling that takes into account a
number of factors. The federal evaluation process is placing more emphasis on making
sure the models are reliable and reflect community adopted plans.
16
The federal process is spelled out in some detail as each potential project is eventually
given a rating. Overall cost effectiveness and the extent to which the state and local
government (i.e., the non-federal share) – either alone or in partnership with the
private sector – participate in the funding is important.
17
The Purple Line Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is scheduled to be
released in the spring of 2008. The selection of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) by
the State is expected to occur in late spring or summer of 2008 and be made with input
from both Montgomery and Prince George’s County.
18
19
20

Tom Autrey and Katherine Holt Are Planners in The Countywide Planning Division (Transportation Section) of The Planning Department. Their E-Mail Addresses Are

Uploaded by

Document Informationclick to expand document information

Copyright:

Available Formats

Tom Autrey and Katherine Holt Are Planners in The Countywide Planning Division (Transportation Section) of The Planning Department. Their E-Mail Addresses Are

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Tom Autrey and Katherine Holt Are Planners in The Countywide Planning Division (Transportation Section) of The Planning Department. Their E-Mail Addresses Are

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Tom Autrey and Katherine Holt are planners in the Countywide Planning Division

(Transportation Section) of the Planning Department. Their e-mail addresses are

You might also like