Item A: LTD-EmX Presentation - Laserfiche WebLink

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attracting ‘choice riders’ (those that typically have an auto, but choose to take BRT); and to provide an investment in transit that could, through the permanence of its exclusive right-of-way and other features, attract desired land use development. Accomplishing these objectives requires that the BRT system incorporate several elements. The elements of a fully-featured BRT system are outlined in Attachment E. Each of these elements contributes to improving the speed and reliability of EmX, which in turn, makes EmX more attractive to a broader market of ridership. This ridership increase, in turn, contributes to making property along an EmX line more attractive to the development of desired land use patterns (mixed-use, pedestrian friendly). One of the more important elements of BRT incorporated into LTD’s implementation of EmX is the use of exclusive right-of-way (ROW). The Franklin Boulevard EmX line currently has approximately 60 percent of its length in exclusive ROW, and the Gateway EmX line will have approximately 70 percent of its length in exclusive ROW. This element is important for two reasons: 1) for riders using EmX, it produces far more reliable travel times than regular service running in mixed traffic along congested corridors; and 2) for LTD operations, exclusive ROW allows LTD to provide higher quality, more efficient service along congested corridors by keeping bus drivers out of congestion for significant segments of the corridor. The ridership increases have been borne out by the ridership trends of the Franklin Boulevard EmX (Green Line) (Attachment F), which show strong and continuous growth since the service opened in January 2007. Currently the ridership on Franklin Boulevard EmX is more than double that of the Route 11 that it replaced (more than 6,000 rides per day compared to approximately 2,800 for the Router 11). In addition, the comprehensive on-board survey conducted by LTD in October 2007 indicates that 24 percent of the EmX riders are new to using transit. There is an additional important dimension to the implementation of EmX that makes it a strong community building tool for the region: the way in which the system is actually designed and constructed. Through incorporation of a number of features into the design and construction of its infrastructure, LTD has contributed significantly to transforming the area directly surrounding its stations, facilities, and the EmX line itself. Incorporation of a bioswale into the design of the Springfield Station, community art into the design of the EmX stations, and the clock tower at the Eugene Station are examples of design features. One indication of the success of this community building is through the various awards LTD and its design consultants have received over the years. Specific to EmX are the following: • American Council of Engineering Companies – Oregon – 2008 Grand Award for Engineering Excellence • Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (international competition) – 2008 Sustainable Transport Award Honorable Mention • Southwestern Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architecture st – 2007 People’s Choice Award 1 Place Landscape Architecture • The Southwestern Oregon Chapter of the American Institute of Architects - 2007 People’s Choice Award 3rd Place Commercial Architecture Memorandum to Eugene City Council Subject: West Eugene EmX Extension Project Update May 13, 2009 Page 5