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Transitway Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions

The Metropolitan Council is leading an effort to develop technical guidelines based in best practices for the development of corridors where intensive transit investments are planned. The Council is working with partners in local government, Metro Transit and other transit providers, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB), the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB), the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the University of Minnesota to develop the guidelines.

Regional transitway guidelines will ensure that transit corridors are developed in a consistent and equitable manner as the region’s transit network continues to grow and expand, and provide a foundation for project partners who are planning and funding corridors in their communities. At the same time, guidelines will be flexible enough so that each transitway can boast its unique characteristics and opportunities as well as address its unique challenges.

• What is a transitway?
• Why are guidelines needed?
• To which transitway modes will regional guidelines apply?
• Will guidelines apply to intercity passenger rail and streetcars?
• Are there examples of existing region-wide guidelines for transit?
• What aspects of transitways need guidelines for development?
• Why is it important to establish guidelines now?
• How do the guidelines address land use and development?
• How do the guidelines address people walking, in wheelchairs, and on bicycles?
• What is bus rapid transit (BRT)?
• What is the process for developing and adopting transitway guidelines?
• Will the guidelines be adopted as an appendix to the Transportation Policy Plan?
• Who can I contact for more information?

 

What is a transitway?

A transitway is a heavily-traveled transportation corridor that offers bus or rail service, either along a dedicated right-of-way or with the help of transit advantages. Transitways facilitate fast, convenient and reliable transit service.

Examples in the Twin Cities include Hiawatha LRT, Northstar Commuter Rail and express buses supported by the Mn/Pass High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes transit advantage on I-394. Transitways under development include Central Corridor LRT, bus rapid transit (BRT) on the Cedar Avenue and I-35W South corridors, and LRT on the Southwest Corridor between Minneapolis and Eden Prairie.

The region’s long-range transportation plan, the 2030 Transportation Policy Plan, adopted in November 2010, includes a map of the transitways planned in the region (pdf).

Generally, transitways include an exclusive or semi-exclusive runningway or lane, stations, identifiable vehicles, fast boarding and alighting, frequent service operations with longer operating times, an identifiable brand and higher levels of implemented technology. The implementation of transitways will, along with enhancements to the base bus system, help the region achieve the region’s goal of doubling transit ridership – providing 145 to 150 million rides annually – by 2030.

Why are guidelines needed?

Guidelines will help to ensure that transitways develop in a way that is consistent, equitable, and delivers the best value for the taxpayers’ dollars, with a “look and feel” that reflects that they are part of an integrated regional transit system in which customers can travel seamlessly throughout the metro area.

The Council is proposing transitway guidelines to promote additional consistency throughout the system as the region prepares to nearly double the number of transitway miles by 2014.

To which transitway modes will regional guidelines apply?

The Metropolitan Council is working with its local partners to develop guidelines for several transitway modes included in the region’s long-range transportation plan, including Commuter Rail, Light Rail, Highway BRT and Arterial BRT. Guidelines will not be developed at this time for Express Bus service with transit advantages or Dedicated Busway BRT. Guidelines also will not be developed for Streetcars at this time. Guidelines for these modes can be developed in the future, if needed. For more information on transitway modes, visit the chapter on Transit in the 2030 Transportation Policy Plan.

Will guidelines apply to intercity passenger rail and streetcars?

Passenger rail is legally under Mn/DOT’s jurisdiction. Because of the interstate access passenger rail provides, any guidelines should be developed under Mn/DOT’s leadership.

Streetcars are not included as a transitway mode in the region’s long-range transportation plan at this time. However, page 131 of the plan reads, “The [Metropolitan] Council will collaborate with local units of government to determine where and when streetcars may be appropriate.” The Council remains committed to this collaboration and can develop regional transitway guidelines for streetcars in the future, if needed.

Are there examples of existing region-wide guidelines for transit?

There are several examples of existing region-wide standards for transit in the Twin Cities metro area. The most visible from the customer’s perspective is the common fare structure by which all regional providers abide.

Seniors, youth and Medicare card holders, for example, qualify for reduced fares during non-rush hours, regardless of which service they use. People with disabilities qualify for a reduced rate at all times on all regular-route service in the region. Express fares are the same anywhere within the Council’s jurisdiction. Pre-paid Go-To fare cards are valid throughout the metro area. Fare increases must be approved by the Metropolitan Council and apply to all providers. Transfers are accepted by all providers. Fare collection systems are the same system-wide. Routes are coordinated among providers. And, transit funding is integrated.

Consistency created by region-wide standards helps ensure the transit system is seamless to customers.

What aspects of transitways need guidelines for development?

Consistent branding and identity may be the most visible to customers. Hiawatha LRT and Northstar Commuter Rail are different modes and meet different customer needs. But customers know they are part of the same transit network, first and foremost, because of how they look. These are the types of issues the guidelines are intended to address as the region’s transitway network continues to grow.

Ten technical committees and the Advisory Committee drafted guidelines [LINK to Guidelines] for the following topics related to transitway development:

• Service operations
• Station spacing and siting
• Stations and support facilities
• Runningways (e.g. dedicated right-of-way, HOT and other managed lanes, bus shoulders, or mixed traffic)
• Vehicles
• Fare-collection systems
• Technology and customer information
• Identity and branding
• Project development, leadership, and oversight

According to the recommendations of the technical and advisory committees, Guidelines were not developed for transitway funding. Instead, financial management responsibilities are identified and discussed in the Project Development, Leadership, and Oversight Guidelines.

Why is it important to establish guidelines now?

Guidelines will capture what the region is doing well now and provide a foundation for transitway development as the region’s network continues to expand.

Currently, the region has nearly 62 miles of transitways in the form of Hiawatha LRT, Northstar Commuter Rail and the HOT lane on I-394. That figure will to increase to 115 miles by 2014, adding Central Corridor LRT and bus rapid transit on the I-35W South and Cedar Avenue corridors. These BRT corridors are the first of their kind in the region and the guidelines support and build off efforts in these corridors to help shape expectations for how BRT is defined in this region.

The 12-mile Southwest Corridor is expected to come online soon after and a host of corridors are cued up for possible transit investment in the longer term. The region’s long-range transportation plan, the 2030 TPP includes a map of the transitways planned in the region (pdf).

Guidelines will help ensure the significant resources required to develop a transitway will be directed in a consistent and equitable manner as more investment occurs. Guidelines will provide project planners with common practices for the region, so lead agencies and consulting partners can avoid starting from scratch as corridors are developed. And, guidelines will suggest ways to better align transitway planning and engineering with land use planning, affordable housing development, workforce development and economic development in the pursuit of making our region more sustainable.

How do the guidelines address land use and development?

The guidelines recognize the importance of better aligning transit, land use planning, and sustainable communities. The guidelines identify transitway elements that relate closely to land use planning and development, including Station Spacing and Siting, Stations and Support Facilities, Runningways, and Identity and Branding. The Project Development, Leadership, and Oversight Guidelines also emphasize the important, lead agency responsibility of providing meaningful coordination with stakeholders, including land use authorities and property owners. Finally, the Guidelines reference the Metropolitan Council’s Guide for Transit-Oriented Development [LINK to guide http://www.metrocouncil.org/planning/tod/tod.htm] as a technical resource that provides information on TOD development principles.

How do the guidelines address people walking, in wheelchairs, and on bicycles?

The guidelines recognize the importance of providing access to and across transitways for people walking, in wheelchairs, on bicycles, and in motor vehicles – including public transit, private vehicles, and emergency response. The guidelines identify transitway elements that relate closely to access, including Service Operations, Station Spacing and Siting, Stations and Support Facilities, Runningways, Vehicles, and Identity and Branding. The Project Development, Leadership, and Oversight Guidelines also emphasize the important, lead agency responsibility of providing meaningful coordination with stakeholders, including the region’s transit customers, transit providers, motorists, and emergency responders.

What is bus rapid transit (BRT)?

BRT is enhanced bus service that combines the flexibility of buses and the higher amenity investment of rail. With the help of transit advantages, such as dedicated lanes and advanced technologies, for example, BRT operates at greater speeds and provides greater reliability than traditional bus service. While BRT is less costly than rail, it provides similar advantages in service operations and user experience.

BRT is shaping up incrementally along the I-35W South and Cedar Avenue corridors to improve traffic flow and speed to and from the southern metro. New double-wide, dedicated bus lanes in Minneapolis, added park-and-rides on the corridors, priced lanes, improved signage and technologies are some of the enhancements that will add capacity and ensure faster service.

As illustrated in the 2030 TPP Transitways Map (pdf), corridors identified for potential transit investment in the future where BRT may be an option include Rush Line, I-35W North, Highway 36, Highway 65, I-94 east of downtown Minneapolis and the Red Rock Corridor. Each is undergoing analysis to determine mode and alignment. More information on BRT is available in the 2030 TPP.

What is the process for developing and adopting transitway guidelines?

Starting in the spring of 2010, more than 100 people and 25 organizations participated in ten technical committees and drafted initial guidelines for consideration by the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is composed of Metro Council members, the Council’s transportation director and appointees of CTIB, Mn/DOT, TAB and the Suburban Transit Association.

On Aug. 3, 2011 the Advisory Committee recommended the Metropolitan Council adopt the draft guidelines for public comment as a standalone document, separate from the 2030 Transportation Policy Plan.

On Sept. 14, 2011, the Metropolitan Council adopted the draft guidelines for public comment, with comments accepted through Nov. 18, 2011. Future revisions to the Guidelines would be subject to Metropolitan Council adoption.

Will the guidelines be adopted as an appendix to the Transportation Policy Plan?

The Guidelines are intended to be adopted by the Metropolitan Council as a standalone document, separate from the Transportation Policy Plan.

Who can I contact for more information?

The project managers for the transitways guidelines development effort are

• Mary Karlsson, Senior Transportation Planner, at 651.602.1819 or Mary.Karlsson@metc.state.mn.us.
• Cole Hiniker, Transportation Planner, at 651.602.1748 or Cole.Hiniker@metc.state.mn.us.