4.3. SR 07-19-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. 1.1.2. TRANSPORTA TION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT (TSM) ALTERNATIVE A second alternative to be considered when selecting the Locally Preferred Transportation Investment Strategy (LPTIS) is the refinement of transportation management/bus improvements referred to as the Transportation System Management (TSM) Alternative. The TSM Alternative provides a framework for strategies that provide lower cost improvement of the existing transportation network and includes infrastructure improvements that will benefit transit operations along with improvements in transit service coverage, span and connectivity; and minor roadway improvements. Based on the initial work in Phase I and recent meetings with representatives from Metro Transit, Anoka County Transit, St. Cloud Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), MnlDOT District 3, and the RiverRider Service, a number of strategies have been identified as part of the TSM Alternative. These strategies are discussed in the following sections. Bus Operations Strategies Bus operations strategies address connectIvIty within the corridor and offer transportation alternatives that build upon existing transit services and facilities. Bus operations strategies include transit service enhancements, infrastructure improvements, additional park-and-ride lots and the expansion of existing park-and-ride and transit facilities. . As part of the planning process for developing the TSM Alternative, transit providers within the corridor met to identify ways to better integrate bus services throughout the corridor. As a result, the following service parameters were developed: · Express bus service would operate between Rice and downtown Minneapolis on a frequency similar to the schedule identified in the Commuter Rail Feasibility Study, also known as service Concept B. · Park-and-ride facilities would be situated at locations previously identified as potential station sites along the corridor with some location modifications. · A variety of feeder bus services would provide local/neighborhood service to park-and-ride facilities enabling passengers to transfer to/from express routes. The express bus service concept developed under this TSM Alternative embraces many of the characteristics of commuter rail, with the exception that the service is provided by buses. One advantage with bus transportation is that it allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, allocating resources and reacting to demand. For planning purposes, service frequency and capacity information previously defined in the Commuter Rail Feasibility Study was used as a maximum level of service under this alternative. The capacity of each commuter train (three cars) is equivalent to eight full-size buses; therefore the number of buses necessary to match this level of service will be significantly higher in most . areas of the corridor. However, it is possible that ridership levels may be less than what was 1 Phase II Northstar Corridor Major Investment Study Draft - TSM Alternative June 24, 1999