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Bus Network Redesign Update:Network Concepts

Planning and Capital Program CommitteeApril 14, 2020

Rob Smith, AVP Service Planning & Scheduling

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• Details on the Network Concepts

• Next steps

• Timeline implications with COVID-19

Today’s Briefing

Network Concepts

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Network Concept Design

• January 21-30

• DART staff, Service Area City staff, and the Jarrett Walker consulting team developed two concept bus networks for DART

• One emphasizes changes aimed at maximizing ridership, the other to maintain or expand coverage

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Network Concepts

RIDERSHIP CONCEPT

• High frequency

• Low coverage

• Emphasis on service only in places with high transit demand potential

COVERAGE CONCEPT

• Lower frequency

• High coverage

• Emphasis on serving as many people and jobs as possible

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Network

Share of Resources Targeting

RidershipGoals

Share of Resources Targeting

CoverageGoals

Current DART Service 55% 45%

Coverage Concept 60% 40%

Ridership Concept 85% 15%

Comparison of Concepts:Ridership vs. Coverage

Some may find it unusual that the “coverage” concept has a higher percentage of ridership-targeted routes than current service. This happened in part because we made a conscious decision to include more off-peak service in the coverage

concept than we run now – consistent with ridership demand trends.

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• No new dollars for bus service expansion

• Resources used for the new network in each City will be comparable to resources used in the existing network

• No preferred concept

• Same operating speeds

• No further changes in stop spacing

• No GoLink service in Ridership Concept

• Expanded GoLink service in Coverage Concept

• Blank slate design for both Concepts

• Silver Line assumed for each Concept

• No changes in Shuttle routes except for UTD service

Underlying Assumptions

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RidershipConcept

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Ridership Concept:Service by Time of Day/Week

More frequent route coverage in peaks, and more frequent route coverage than

current service

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RidershipConcept Compared to Current Network

Segments and zones in REDwould no longer have route or GoLink coverage in this

scenario. These are segments with lower

ridership (91.7% of current riders still covered,

however).Legend

"Ridership" Bus Network

Existing Bus Network

GoLink (existing)

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CoverageConcept

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Coverage Concept:Service by Time of Day/Week

Similar frequencies to current service

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CoverageConcept Compared to Current Network

Segments in RED would no longer have route coverage in this scenario. There are

relatively few segments, and most of them have minimal ridership or are covered by

expanded GoLink zones. GoLink zones in deeper

GREEN would be additions.Legend

"Coverage" Bus Network

Existing Bus Network

GoLink (existing)

GoLink (proposed)

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Ridership, Coverage ComparedPeak Period Frequency

RIDERSHIP COVERAGE

Ridership Network has broader frequent service but less coverage

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Ridership, Coverage ComparedMidday Period Frequency

RIDERSHIP COVERAGE

Ridership Network has broader frequent service but less coverage

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Ridership, Coverage ComparedWeekend Midday Period Frequency

RIDERSHIP COVERAGE

Ridership Network has much broader frequent service but less coverage

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Access Compared: Peak Period

Ridership Concept has

much broader access to 15-

minute service (32% within ½-

mile rather than 7% now), but many more

residents are not within walking

distance to service (52% vs.

32% now)

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Access Compared: Midday Period

Ridership Concept has

broader access to 15-minute

midday service (10% within ½-

mile rather than 3% now), but many more

residents are not within walking

distance to service (51% vs.

32% now)

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Proximity to Existing Riders

Almost all current riders board at locations served by the Coverage Network, but

fewer (92%) board at locations covered by the

Ridership Network

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Travel Time Impact Compared

• One benefit of network changes: reductions in travel time

• The example at right compares the existing, coverage, and ridership networks for a sample case

• Benefits come from a combination of route directness and frequency, which reduces transfer wait times

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Travel Time Impact Compared

• Higher benefits come for many longer trips, particularly outside of peak periods

• However, some would argue that even the improved travel times are too long

• Local service on very long trips cannot be fully optimized to reduce travel times; higher-speed services continue to be important for such trips

Timeline Issues with COVID-19

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• The current COVID-19 situation will delay the schedule for the Bus Network Redesign process

• The Regional Transit Forums have been postponed from the original mid-April dates

• Some online public involvement will start in April as scheduled, including webinars and availability of an online survey for interested participants

• With the extra time, we will prepare more detailed comparisons of the impact of the network concepts for each City and neighborhood

• More details in May’s briefing

Timing Issues Given COVID-19

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Project Timeline:Completed Items

Task Timing

Project Kick-OffService Area Engagement, Board Member Interviews, Board Workshop

October-December 2019

Prepare Draft Choices ReportAnalysis, Choices Report, Board Briefing

November 2019-February 2020

Network Concept DesignNetwork Design Workshop, Completion of Concept Chapters, Board Briefing (Today)

January-April 2020

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Project Timeline:Current Phase -- Public Involvement, Round 1

Action Summary Timing

Public Engagement and Input preparation

• Communication development• Stakeholder recruitment• Web survey development

• 12/1 - 3/30

Transit Summit • 4/20 and 4/27• Delayed

Public Engagement and Input

• Media• Webinar• Pop-up events• Transit Center Surveys• Web survey

• 4/13 – 5/11• In person events

delayed• Web-based elements

start late April

Board presentation • Briefing on public input and summit • 5/26• Delayed

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Project Timeline:Where Do We Go from Here?

Task Original Timing Revised Timing

Ridership/Coverage Balance, Final Draft PlanBoard Policy Discussion, Network Design Workshop, Final Draft Plans, Board Decision

July 2020-December 2020

Fall 2020-Winter 2021

Public Involvement, Round 2Formal Public Hearing, Public Meetings, Board Briefing on Final Plan

Winter 2021 Spring 2021

Approve the Bus Network PlanTitle VI Analysis, Modifications, Adoption

Spring 2021 Summer 2021

Initiate Service ChangesService Change Public Process, Adoption, Preparatory Work

January 2022 May 2022