Agenda - Council - 07/27/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Technical Memorandum #1: General Transit Demand Study April 2004 mode only for distances over 1/2 mile while walking will usually be more convenient.for shorter trips. The greater the shuttle's frequency, the more competitive it becomes for walking trips. A shuttle operating every 10 minutes, for example, would arrive (on average) every 5 minutes, making trips over 1/4 mile more convenient for transit. The map below demonstrates that a large portion of the RTC is within a 5 or 10 minute walk of the proposed transit center location. It should be noted that a large portion of the residential areas are beyond a 10 minute walk to the transit center, which may support the need for a local shuttle. Exhibit 2: Standard Walking Distances in the Rarnsey Town Center RESIDENt'tAL AREA minute walk 'l : '; ': · I lO ItllflHie walk High Frequency. One of the most important aspects of a shuttle service is that it provides frequent service. Service frequency for a local shuttle should range from 5-10 minutes in order to make using transit as convenient as walking. Most people who are willing to use a local shuttle service, especially where distances are not that great and walking is a viable option, will not wait more than a few minutes before considering another mode. High frequency is especially important in inclement weather. Empleyer shuttles should be timed to meet a commuter coach or rail stop with minimal waiting and provide direct service to major employment destinations. Service in Both Directions. Another key to a successful shuttle service is that it's convenient in.both directions of travel. While a shuttle that operates in a one-way Iccp configuration may seem more cost-effective (one-way loops can cover more area with fewer vehi~!,¢s),;,? passengers can find this configuration very frustrating because it is conve,~ie~!ii~!~,:on'!y one direction of travel, This rule usually only applies to a local shuttle s.,e~ice~h.¢~:'tripS are made in both directions at different times of the day. An emp, ieyer'~h.¢ttle~'af-fd)cuses on specific trips travelin9 in one direction (usually at peak travel (i,~i;,~0:~f'd¢operate in a one- way configuration and still be effective. . Appropriate Vehicle Size. Small vehicles are usually the most efficient way to quickly maneuver through a relatively small area (such as the Town Center) and to minimize start/stop time along the route. Because local circulator shuttles are primarily used for short trips, a Iow-floor vehicle should also be considered to minimize boarding/deboarding time and 11