Evaluation of Alternative Corridors

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Evaluation of Alternative Corridors

• Presentation to
• Memphis Area Transit Authority
• Regional Rail Steering Committee
• September 7, 2000

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Rail Corridor Evaluation

• R. L. Banks Associates

R.L. BANKS ASSOCIATES, INC.
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Memphis Light RailCorridor Railroads
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Memphis Railroad CorridorsShared Use Potential
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South Corridor Features
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10
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15
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9
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Memphis Railroad CorridorsShared Use Potential
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North Corridor Features
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Memphis Railroad CorridorsShared Use Potential
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Beltline Corridor Features
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Memphis Railroad CorridorsShared Use Potential
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East Corridor Features
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Memphis Railroad CorridorsShared Use Potential
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Environmental Factors

• Nancy Skinner

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Historic Sites
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Parks and Cemeteries
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Schools
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Rare Species
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Corridor Comparisons

• Ed Womack

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Alternate Corridors
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Alternate Corridors
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Alignment Alternative
North Corridor
East Corridor
South Corridor
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Alignment Alternative
North Corridor
East Corridor
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South Corridor
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Alignment Alternative
North Corridor
East Corridor
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South Corridor
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Alignment Alternative
North Corridor
East Corridor
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South Corridor
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EVALUATION FACTORS

North East
South
Corridor
Corridor Corridor

• Access and Mobility - Job Centers
• Access and Mobility - General Public
• Access and Mobility Transit Dependent
• Transit/Pedestrian Friendly Neighborhoods
• Redevelopment Opportunities (Poverty)
• Share Railroad Right-of-Way
• Participation of Shared Jurisdictions
• Impact on Sensitive Areas
• Urban Sprawl
• Short Term Economic Impact

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Corridor Comparison
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Public Involvement Update

• Trust Marketing and Communications

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Interviews

• Total Number Completed To Date 14
• Number Refusing Interview 01
• Total Number of Interviews Planned 18
• Total Remaining 03

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Major Problems Facing the Community

• Topping the list was education and the need for a
  more skilled labor force
• Crime/perception of crime
• Racial issues
• City-County divisions
• Poverty
• Lack of smart growth

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Which issues are most critical to the well
being of the region?

• Workforce Development
• Education

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What needs can the study address?

• Workforce Development

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Biggest obstacles to addressing needs

• Community Consensus
• Lack aggressive approach/limited resource
• Lack of incentives
• Leadership and vision
• Political will and private sector support

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In meeting communityneeds, all feel
transportation is very important
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Problems with the existing Transit System

• Perception of unreliability with service
  limitations
• Not viewed as a viable transportation alternative
  for all people
• Schedules perceived as limited routes not
  extensive enough

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Problems with the existing Transit System

• Viewed as transportation for the poor and down
  trodden image problem
• Transportation is disconnected from other planned
  development
• Overlooked by politicians

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How can current transit problems be resolved?

• Better scheduling increased frequency
• Transportation should become a priority
• Advertise! Connect the message and the people.
  Then deliver!

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Role of transit in the community

• Mass way to move people with no options from
  place to place

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What role should transit play?

• Provide essential transportation for the masses.
• Big opportunity to play a regional role
• Support economic development activity
• MATA should broaden its reach (why not provide
  all types of transportation services--charters,
  school busing, etc.)

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What other transit services would help?

• More efficient taxi service
• Small-bus service with better coverage for
  neighborhoods.
• Shuttle Service
• Express Bus Service

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How is the current transit system viewed by the
public?

• MATA has been taken for granted
• Viewed as limited space
• Viewed as inadequate
• Mediocre most people dont ride them -- opinions
  are based on perception.

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The Definition of Light Rail

• Public Transportation confined to rail
• Limited time, high speed, few stops
• Elevated or underground train
• Similar to train in Chicago or rail in New York,
  Washington DC or Atlanta

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Disposition toward Light Rail

• Virtually all think light rail will be a good
  addition to our transportation system.
• Some dont view it as being as high a priority
  issue when compared to education, workforce
  development, and neighborhood redevelopment
• Funding-- is it financially feasible?

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Importance of light rail relative to the
regions transportation system

• Most thought it to be very important

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Review of Criteria / Rationale for light rail

• Criteria, very comprehensive
• Nothing additional was added

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Expansion Corridor Preference

• The South Leg to the airport
• The East and West Leg with one individual
  limiting the East end of the corridor to the
  Fairgrounds

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