Stacey King on LinkedIn: Almost as fun as meeting Baltimore City DOTs new TDM manager today was the… (2024)

Let 'Road Guy Rob' teach you all about "why BRT?" in this short and funny video:https://lnkd.in/gzyAFGFRWe are beyond proud of our amazing HDR team that helps Metro Transit deliver these transformational BRT projects to the Twin Cities. (Ryan Bauman, Jim Mersereau, Dany Maloney, Matt McOlash, and Catherine Judd; just to name a few!)If your city is interested in something similar, please reach out. Let's talk!Some quick takeaways (in case you're too busy to watch the full video):There are a vast spectrum of BRT treatments. This video divides them into 3 easily digestible categories, with great examples: 1) Arterial BRT-like D Line; $75M for 18.5mi route, 40 stations2) Freeway BRT -like Orange Line; $150M for 17mi route, 12 stations 3) Guideway BRT - like Gold Line, opening 2025; $500M for 9mi route, 11 stationsAll Metro Transit routes have these key BRT Elements:· high platforms, near-level boarding· more and wider doors on vehicles· rider comforts at stations: shelter/shade, seating, lights, heating/cooling, travel info and security· frequent service· schedule reliability – including spot treatments like (TSP, queue jumps, dedicated bus lanes)Quotes from Metro Transit leads Kyle O'Donnell Burrows and Jonathan A. in the video:- “We’ve seen anywhere from 20-50% ridership increases from pre-opening day. On the D Line, in particular, from last summer to this summer we’ve seen almost 70-80% ridership increase.”- “Good doesn’t have to be expensive.”; “Not all routes need to be the fanciest, most expensive kind.”- “Don’t let your tool mold your service needs; it’s the other way around. Find the tool that meets your exact need.”

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Super interesting comparison of driving vs commuter rail from Worcester to Boston (South Station). A few observations: First, the elimination of the express trains from Worcester means that all of the AM trains take at least 1 hour 15 minutes (the one in the video at 5:45am takes 1 hour 25 minutes) to get to Boston. Factor in the relatively high train fare and train travel becomes non-competitive for many commuters. If they compared a train leaving Worcester a bit later (and if they had an express!), the travel time would be much closer (if not better) as a car driver would surely hit MassPike traffic during a more traditional commute time. This brings me back to the work Benjamin Forman and I did on TOD in Gateway Cities and the importance of more competitively priced and all-day train options from cities like Worcester, Fitchburg, and Lowell to serve a broader range of people.Second, even with these challenges, commuter rail ridership has recovered much better than the T's subway system. Averaging Jan-Feb data for 2020 and 2024, it shows a recovery of 59% for the MBTA overall, only 45% of pre-pandemic subway ridership, but 86% recovery on commuter rail. So, the combo of more reliable rail service, the ability to work/rest on the train, and avoiding highway traffic is drawing rail riders, supporting the vision for 'regional rail' (and hopefully electrification!).Third, and finally, as someone living/working in western Mass with hopes that improved west-east rail service could be in our future, this is a real-life demonstration of how important it is to get it right on a competitive rail offer. It's not easy, but to be successful and attract strong ridership, we need to work towards trains that are fast enough with travel times and costs to compete with auto travel options. Worcester and its downtown development are clearly benefiting from access to commuter rail...but this story highlights how we're missing out on ridership based on current rail options. Cambridge Econometrics

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A great insight into one of our electrification projects.

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New on the blog: How to navigate North Texas — by car, bike, bus or train. In our latest post, we’re covering DFW transportation do’s and don’ts: https://bit.ly/44VjQTa.

New on the blog: How to navigate North Texas — by car, bike, bus or train. In our latest post, we’re covering DFW transportation do’s and don’ts: https://bit.ly/44VjQTa.

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New on the blog: How to navigate North Texas — by car, bike, bus or train. In our latest post, we’re covering DFW transportation do’s and don’ts: https://bit.ly/44VjQTa.

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New on the blog: How to navigate North Texas — by car, bike, bus or train. In our latest post, we’re covering DFW transportation do’s and don’ts: https://bit.ly/44VjQTa.

New on the blog: How to navigate North Texas — by car, bike, bus or train. In our latest post, we’re covering DFW transportation do’s and don’ts: https://bit.ly/44VjQTa.

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New on the blog: How to navigate North Texas — by car, bike, bus or train. In our latest post, we’re covering DFW transportation do’s and don’ts: https://bit.ly/44VjQTa.

New on the blog: How to navigate North Texas — by car, bike, bus or train. In our latest post, we’re covering DFW transportation do’s and don’ts: https://bit.ly/44VjQTa.