Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study

Transcription

1 Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study Prepared for: MATBUS Prepared by: Fargo Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments April 2014

2 Introduction With growth in southeast Moorhead and Dilworth, MATBUS and Metro COG are seeking ways to provide new transit service to the newly developed and underserved portions of Moorhead and Dilworth. The Transit Development Plan (TDP) identifies the need for new routes in Moorhead and Dilworth to serve the increasing transit needs. This study will look at the following additions/modifications to the MATBUS fixed route system: Proposed new Route 6 Wal Mart (Dilworth), Cash Wise (Moorhead), City of Dilworth Proposed new Route 9 Wal Mart (Dilworth), 34 th St Corridor, Sanford (Moorhead) Remainder of page intestinally left blank Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 1

3 Proposed New Route 6 Wal Mart (Dilworth), Cash Wise (Moorhead), City of Dilworth Study Area The study area for proposed Route 6 consists of the City of Dilworth and a portion of east Moorhead. Map 1 shows the study area and existing fixed bus routes in the vicinity. The western portion of the study area is the main retail area for Moorhead and Dilworth, consisting of big box stores which include Wal Mart, Target, K Mart, Cash Wise and more. The center and eastern portions of the study area consist of residential housing, parks, an elementary school, a BNSF switchyard and some commercial buildings along Highway 10. The residential housing within the study area consists of mostly single family homes with some apartment buildings which are located near Highway 10. Two assisted living facilities are located within the study area Houge Estates and Serenity Assisted Living, and the Red River Recovery Center is located on the east side of Dilworth. Map 1 Route 6 Study Area Need for New Route The vast majority of Dilworth currently has no fixed route bus service. The only area of Dilworth that is currently served by bus is the Wal Mart located on the far west limit of the city. As growth continues in both Moorhead and Dilworth, the need for transit increases. Projected Conditions Growth is expected to remain steady in Dilworth in the future years. Information from Metro COG s current travel demand model shows an increase in trip density in Dilworth as a result of the continued growth. Trip Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 2

4 density is the number of trips generated within a certain analysis zone and is a useful metric in determining the demand for transit. Maps 2 4 show the current (2010), projected 2020 and projected 2040 trip density. It can be seen in the maps that there is an anticipated increase in trip density in Dilworth between 2010 and Between 2020 and 2040 there is also an anticipated increase in trip density in Dilworth even though it is not indicated in the graphic below. As trip density increases, the feasibility of transit also increases. Map 2 Trip density, current (2010) Source: Metro 2040 Map 3 Trip density, 2020 Source: Metro 2040 Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 3

5 Map 4 Trip density, 2040 Source: Metro 2040 Recommended Routes from TDP The TDP recommended a new fixed bus route that would serve Dilworth. The route, as recommended in the TDP, would be named Route 6 and would originate at the downtown Fargo GTC, travel along Center Avenue, stop at the Dilworth Wal Mart, and travel into downtown Dilworth via Highway 10 at which point the bus would turn around and retrace the route. The route would be a 30 minute route and would alternate with another proposed route that would serve southeast Moorhead (Route 9). It was recommended that the route operate weekdays between 6:45 am and 6:45 pm. Map 5 shows the TDP s recommended Route 6. Map 5 TDP Recommended Routes Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 4

6 Proposed Route 6 As recommended in the TDP, the proposed Route 6 will serve the City of Dilworth. However, different from the TDP recommendation, the proposed route would originate at the Dilworth Wal Mart instead of the GTC. Route 6, as proposed in this study, would originate at the Dilworth Wal Mart, stop at the Moorhead Cash Wise, travel along the frontage road next to Hwy 10, and into downtown Dilworth. The route will then serve Houge Estates, Red River Recovery Center, Eastview apartments and loop back to the Dilworth Wal Mart via 4 th Ave NE, 1 st Ave NE, and Center Ave. Case Wise would be a transfer point for Route 3, Route 4, and proposed Route 9, while Wal Mart would be a transfer point for Route 4 and proposed Route 9. Map 6 shows the proposed Route 6. Map 6 Proposed Route 6 Source: MATBUS Proposed Route 6 would be a 30 minute route requiring one bus. The bus would interline with Route 9 therefore both Routes 6 and 9 would operate hourly. Travel time test runs were driven by car during normal conditions to determine the approximate time it would take a bus to complete the route. Table 1 shows the results of the test runs. Table 1 Route 6 Test Travel Times Location Travel Time Wal Mart 0:00 Cash Wise 2:43 CVS Pharmacy 5:28 City Hall 8:52 Houge Estates 12:00 4 th Ave NE & Woodbridge Dr. 15:00 Dilworth Elementary School 17:35 Community Center 19:00 Wal Mart 23:30 Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 5

7 If Route 6 initiates service before Route 9, it is recommended that Route 6 operate 30 minute service Monday through Saturday until Route 9 comes into service. This interim service should operate only during the mornings and afternoons/evenings since ridership has to be established. Table 2 shows the proposed interim timetable for Route 6. Table 2 Proposed Interim Timetable Route 6 Wal Mart Cash Wise CVS Houge 4 th Ave NE & Dilworth Community Wal Mart City Hall (Transfer) (Transfer) Pharmacy Estates Woodridge Elementary Center (Transfer) A B C D E F G H A 6:38 6:41 6:43 6:47 6:52 6:55 6:57 6:59 7:03 7:08 7:11 7:13 7:17 7:22 7:25 7:27 7:29 7:33 7:38 7:41 7:43 7:47 7:52 7:55 7:57 7:59 8:03 8:08 8:11 8:13 8:17 8:22 8:25 8:27 8:29 8:33 8:38 8:41 8:43 8:47 8:52 8:55 8:57 8:59 9:03 9:08 9:11 9:13 9:17 9:22 9:25 9:27 9:29 9:33 9:38 9:41 9:43 9:47 9:52 9:55 9:57 9:59 10:03 10:08 10:11 10:13 10:17 10:22 10:25 10:27 10:29 10:33 3:08 3:11 3:13 3:17 3:22 3:25 3:27 3:29 3:33 3:38 3:41 3:43 3:47 3:52 3:55 3:57 3:59 4:03 4:08 4:11 4:13 4:17 4:22 4:25 4:27 4:29 4:33 4:38 4:41 4:43 4:47 4:52 4:55 4:57 4:59 5:03 5:08 5:11 5:13 5:17 5:22 5:25 5:27 5:29 5:33 5:38 5:41 5:43 5:47 5:52 5:55 5:57 5:59 6:03 Shaded times do not run on Saturdays Bold times run on Saturdays only Once Route 9 begins service, the route will be interlined with Route 6. Therefore the Route 6 timetable will need to be revised to operate with hourly service. Route 6 will then operate all day from 6:40 a.m. to 6:05 p.m. Table 3 shows the proposed permanent timetable for Route 6. Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 6

8 Table 3 Proposed Permanent Timetable Route 6 Wal Mart (Transfer) Cash Wise (Transfer) CVS Pharmacy City Hall Departs Houge Estates 4 th Ave NE & Woodridge Dilworth Elementary Community Center Wal Mart (Transfer) A B C D E F G H A 6:40 6:43 6:45 6:49 6:54 6:57 6:59 7:01 7:05 7:40 7:43 7:45 7:49 7:54 7:57 7:59 8:01 8:05 8:40 8:43 8:45 8:49 8:54 8:57 8:59 9:01 9:05 9:40 9:43 9:45 9:49 9:54 9:57 9:59 10:01 10:05 10:40 10:43 10:45 10:49 10:54 10:57 10:59 11:01 11:05 11:40 11:43 11:45 11:49 11:54 11:57 11:59 12:01 12:05 12:40 12:43 12:45 12:49 12:54 12:57 12:59 1:01 1:05 1:40 1:43 1:45 1:49 1:54 1:57 1:59 2:01 2:05 2:40 2:43 2:45 2:49 2:54 2:57 2:59 3:01 3:05 3:40 3:43 3:45 3:49 3:54 3:57 3:59 4:01 4:05 4:40 4:43 4:45 4:49 4:54 4:57 4:59 5:01 5:05 5:40 5:43 5:45 5:49 5:54 5:57 5:59 6:01 6:05 Bold times don t run on Saturdays Proposed Bus Stop Shelters Bus stop shelters should be located at transfer points and other stops with an anticipated high number of boardings. Two shelters are already in place along the proposed route one located at the Dilworth Wal Mart and the other on 34 th St just east of Cash Wise (AXIS). It is recommended that additional shelters be installed at specific locations to facilitate the route. The shelter(s) should be installed at: Red River Recovery Center (Southeast corner of Hwy 10 & 7 th St SE) It is important to note that no pedestrian facilities exist between the Red River Recovery Center and the proposed Route 6 as the route travels on 7 th Ave NE. It is recommended that some form of pedestrian facility be installed to connect the Red River Recovery Center to 7 th Ave NE. Without a pedestrian route between the Red River Recovery Center, the Center is cut off to pedestrians from 7 th Ave NE and the rest of Dilworth. Currently pedestrians are forced to walk on the eastbound right turn lane in order to travel west of the Red River Recovery Center. Public Involvement During the planning of the route the Transit Manager contacted the following Dilworth organizations to discuss the route and hours of operations: Houge Estates, Red River Recovery Center, Serenity Assisted Living, Clay County HRA, and Wal Mart. Comments received from these organizations were in support of the new bus route in Dilworth. A variety of public involvement tools were used to reach out to the public. Two public input open houses were held on October 21, 2013 one at Houge Estates and one at Dilworth City Hall. Approximately 22 people were present at the two open house meetings. In addition a poster board was also on display at the GTC from October 21st to October 31st. Comments were received until October 31st. Minor revisions were made to map and timetable following the open house. The revised poster board was displayed at the GTC November 11th through November 23rd. Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 7

9 After the open houses, public hearing notices were placed inside the MATBUS vehicles and were distributed by social media. A public hearing notice was published in the Minnesota legal ads of The Forum on November 11th. The majority of comments received were positive. Many attendees had general MATBUS questions as they would be new riders on the system. There was some concern with the street width on 1st Ave S in Dilworth. Another comment was a desire to move the route closer to the Clay County HRA office. Snow removal was also mentioned as a general concern. Also, some of the residents at Houge Estates would prefer a later start time for the route. Recommendations This study has the following recommendations regarding the proposed Route 6: MATBUS should implement Route 6 as proposed in this study. The route should provide hourly service using one bus interlining with proposed Route 9. A bus stop shelter should be considered at the Red River Recovery Center (Southeast corner of Hwy 10 & 7 th St SE) A pedestrian facility should be considered between the Red River Recovery Center and 7 th Ave NE. Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 8

10 Proposed New Route 9 Wal Mart (Dilworth), 34 th St Corridor, Sanford (Moorhead) Study Area The study area for proposed Route 9 consists of southeast Moorhead and a small portion of Dilworth. Map 7 shows the study area and existing fixed bus routes in the vicinity. The northern portion of the study area is the main retail area for Moorhead and Dilworth, consisting of big box stores which include Wal Mart, Target, K Mart, Cash Wise and more. The center portion of the study area consists of residential housing ranging from single family homes to apartment buildings. The southern portion of the study area is an emerging commercial area with new buildings such as Menard s, Sam s Club, Globe University, and Sanford Medical Center. Horizon Middle School is also located in the study area at the corner of 12 th Ave S and 40 th St S. Map 7 Route 9 Study Area Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 9

11 Need for Route 9 With the recent growth in southeast Moorhead, the need for transit increases. By providing transit in southeast Moorhead, residents, patrons and employees without access to automobiles can be linked to the nearby amenities and the rest of the transit network. Also by providing fixed route bus service, abled persons who normally take paratransit to destinations could instead ride fixed route transit, which is more economical. Some recent growth in southeast Moorhead includes: Menard s (constructed 2007), Globe University (2008), Sanford Medical Center (2014), and Sam s Club (2014). Numerous single family homes, multi family homes, and apartment buildings have also been constructed in the study area in recent years. Projected Conditions Growth is expected to continue in southeast Moorhead and the SE Main and 34 th St corridors are anticipated to see additional development in future years. Information from Metro COG s current travel demand model shows an increase in trip density in southeast Moorhead as a result of the anticipated growth. Trip density is the number of trips generated within a certain analysis zone and is a useful metric in determining the demand for transit. Maps 7 9 show the current (2010), projected 2020 and projected 2040 trip density. As seen in the maps, areas of southeast Moorhead are showing over 25 trip ends per acre by the year 2020 and more areas in southeast Moorhead are showing over 25 trip ends per acre by As trip density increases, the feasibility of transit also increases. Map 7 Trip density, current (2010) Source: Metro 2040 Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 10

12 Map 8 Trip density, 2020 Source: Metro 2040 Map 9 Trip density, 2040 Source: Metro 2040 Recommended Routes from TDP The TDP recommended a new fixed bus route that would serve the 34 th St and SE Main Ave corridors (see map 5). The recommended route would originate at the downtown Fargo GTC, travel to the Dilworth Wal Mart via Center Ave and then travel down 34 th St until turning around at 30 th Ave S. The route would then travel along SE Main Ave and back to the GTC via 34 th St and Center Ave. The route would be named Route 9 and would take 30 minutes to complete. It would require one bus and would alternate that bus with the recommended Route 6. Therefore, Routes 6 and 9 would operate hourly. It is recommended that the route operate between 6:45 am and 6:45 pm on weekdays. Map 4 shows the recommended Route 9. Proposed Route 9 As recommended in the TDP, the proposed Route 9 will serve southeast Moorhead. However, different from the TDP recommendation, the proposed route would originate at the Dilworth Wal Mart instead of the GTC. Proposed Route 9 would originate at Wal Mart, stop at Cash Wise and Target, then travel down 34 th St. The route would then travel east around Horizon Middle school, stop at Sanford Medical Center and Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 11

13 Globe University and loop around Sam s Club and Menard s. The route would then travel back to Wal Mart via 34 th St. Case Wise would be a transfer point for Route 3, Route 4, and proposed Route 6 while Wal Mart would be a transfer point for Route 4 and proposed Route 6. Proposed Route 9 would be a 30 minute route requiring one bus. The proposal would be to interline Route 9 with proposed Route 6 using one bus. Therefore Route 6 would take 30 minutes to complete but would operate hourly. Map 10 shows proposed Route 9. Map 10 Proposed Route 9 Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 12

14 Travel time test runs were driven by car to determine the approximate time it would take a bus to complete the route. Below are the results of the test runs. Table 3 Route 9 Test Travel Times Location Travel Time Wal Mart 0:00 Cash Wise 2:14 Horizon Middle School 7:33 24 th Ave S & 38 th St S 8:42 Sanford Medical Center 11:05 Menard s 14:35 Sam s Club 15:40 Casey s General Store 18:56 34 th St N Shelter (AXIS) 21:05 Wal Mart 22:55 It is proposed that Route 9 operate Monday through Friday from 6:10 a.m. to 6:36 p.m. and on Saturday from 7:10 a.m. to 6:36 p.m. Using the estimated bus travel times, a time schedule was created for the route. Table 4 shows the proposed time schedule for Route 9. Table 4 Proposed Schedule Route 9 Wal Mart (Transfer) Cash Wise (Transfer) Horizon School 24 th Ave S & 38 th St S Sanford Medical C. (Departs) Sam s Club Casey s General Store 34 th St N Shelter (AXIS) Wal Mart (Transfer) A B C D E F G H A 6:10 6:12 6:18 6:19 6:24 6:29 6:32 6:34 6:36 7:10 7:12 7:18 7:19 7:24 7:29 7:32 7:34 7:36 8:10 8:12 8:18 8:19 8:24 8:29 8:32 8:34 8:36 9:10 9:12 9:18 9:19 9:24 9:29 9:32 9:34 9:36 10:10 10:12 10:18 10:19 10:24 10:29 10:32 10:34 10:36 11:10 11:12 11:18 11:19 11:24 11:29 11:32 11:34 11:36 12:10 12:12 12:18 12:19 12:24 12:29 12:32 12:34 12:36 1:10 1:12 1:18 1:19 1:24 1:29 1:32 1:34 1:36 2:10 2:12 2:18 2:19 2:24 2:29 2:32 2:34 2:36 3:10 3:12 3:18 3:19 3:24 3:29 3:32 3:34 3:36 4:10 4:12 4:18 4:19 4:24 4:29 4:32 4:34 4:36 5:10 5:12 5:18 5:19 5:24 5:29 5:32 5:34 5:36 6:10 6:12 6:18 6:19 6:24 6:29 6:32 6:34 6:36 Shaded areas don t run on Saturdays Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 13

15 Proposed Bus Stop Shelters Bus stop shelters should be located at transfer points and other stops with an anticipated high number of boardings. Three shelters are already in place along the proposed route: Stop A Wal Mart Target Stop H 34 th St just east of Cash Wise (AXIS) It is recommended that additional shelters be installed at specific locations to facilitate the route. The shelters should be installed at the following locations: Stop C Horizon Middle School Stop G Sam s Club Public Involvement A variety of public involvement tools were used to reach out to the public. A public notice was shown in The Forum on March 10, 2014 notifying the public of the proposed route. A Rider Alert notifying the public of the proposed route was sent to those who subscribe to Rider Alert notifications. Also, TV monitors at transit hubs, such as the GTC, also displayed the proposed route to the public. From March 10 th to March 21 st (2014) an informational display was set up at the GTC so that riders could review the proposed route and timetable. An informational packet was provided with the display which riders could take and review. Inside the informational packet was a comment form where the public could provide comments regarding the proposed route. At the informational display, on March 14 th, 2014, an Open House was offered from 9 10 a.m. and from 4 5 p.m. Approximately 15 individuals stopped by the display during Open House hours. On March 24 th a Public Hearing was held at the Moorhead City Council Chambers by the Moorhead City Council. This hearing provided a final comment period for the public before the Council approved the new route. All comments received were in favor of the new Route 9. Some comments received were in regard to other services needed, such as night service in North Moorhead, night service on Route 6 and 9, and Sunday service. One comment suggested that Route 9 travel to Target. Recommendations This study has the following recommendations regarding the proposed Route 9: MATBUS should implement Route 9 as proposed in this study. The route should provide hourly service using one bus, interlining with proposed Route 6. It is recommended that bus shelters be installed at Stop C (Horizon Middle School) and Stop G (Sam s Club) Moorhead / Dilworth Fixed Route Expansion Study 14