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Purple Line Functional Master Plan Advisory Group (MPAG) : Tonight's Agenda

The Purple Line Functional Master Plan Advisory Group discussed several items: 1) MTA provided additional studies on single tracking, diesel vs electric vehicles, and tunneling options between Silver Spring and Wayne Avenue. 2) Comments were made on improving the format of the functional plan to include more ground-level graphics, discussion of land use near stations, and reducing impact statements. 3) Updates were given on zoning code rewrites and transportation plan amendments.

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45 views

Purple Line Functional Master Plan Advisory Group (MPAG) : Tonight's Agenda

The Purple Line Functional Master Plan Advisory Group discussed several items: 1) MTA provided additional studies on single tracking, diesel vs electric vehicles, and tunneling options between Silver Spring and Wayne Avenue. 2) Comments were made on improving the format of the functional plan to include more ground-level graphics, discussion of land use near stations, and reducing impact statements. 3) Updates were given on zoning code rewrites and transportation plan amendments.

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© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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Purple Line Functional Master Plan Advisory Group (MPAG)

Tonight’s Agenda

• Schedule Update
• MTA Additional Studies
• Comments On Functional Plan Format
• County Zoning Code Re-Write
• Takoma Langley Crossroads Sector Plan Update
(Added To Agenda)
• Regional Transportation Plan (CLRP) Amendment
Update (Added To Agenda)

May 19, 2009


Functional Plan Schedule Update
MP Schedule Proposed MP
Original In-House Proposed Revised
Chart Of Schedule For
Schedule In-House Schedule
03/23/09 Chart 05/06/09

Action/Activity Date Action/Activity Date Action/Activity Date Action/Activity Date

MTA Selection of Feb – Mar


LPA 2009
MPAG Reviews Mid April
Initial Draft of Plan 2009
Draft Plan Published
Mid May Planning Board March – June
& PB Sets Public
2009 Review Of Plan 2009
Hearing Date For Plan
Planning Board
Mid June
Hearing On MTA Selection of LPA Mid June 2009
2009
Functional Plan
Planning Board
County
Forwards Final Draft July – Aug MPAG Reviews Initial
Mid July 2009 Executive Fiscal Mid July 2009
To Council & 2009 Complete Draft of Plan
Review of Plan
Executive
County Council Draft Plan Published &
Mid September Planning Board July – October
Hearing Notice September 2009 PB Sets Public Hearing
2009 Review Of Plan 2009
Period Date For Plan
Planning Board
Council Review Oct 2009 – Feb Mid October
Hearing On Functional
Of Plan 2010 2009
Plan
Planning Board
County Executive
Forwards Final Draft Mid November November –
Fiscal Review of
To Council & 2009 December 2009
Plan
Executive
County Council
Hearing Notice January 2010
Period
Council Review Of February – April
Plan 2010

Other Stuff …
• I-270 / US 15 CCT Environmental Assessment / Alternative Analysis Available – May 29, 2009
• Takoma Langley Sector Plan – Draft Plan Published – May 28, 2009
• Gaithersburg West Master Plan Work Sessions
MTA Purple Line Additional Studies

Joint Letter (Feb. 2, 2009) To MTA … “Before Selecting LPA “…

• evaluate costs, impacts, and operations implications of single


tracking …

• bring the evaluation of the tunnel option between SSTC and


Wayne Ave. /Mansfield Rd. to the same level of detail as surface
option
MTA Purple Line Additional Studies

Opportunity For Use of Single Track Along Georgetown Branch ROW

• Experience of San Diego, Portland, Sacramento, and Baltimore


• Segment examined – 3,500 feet from Pearl Street to western edge
of Country Club
• Headway increases to seven minutes with no margin for error and
reduction in peak period capacity of 20%
• Capacity would be adequate for initial projection of ridership but
not to accommodate growth beyond 2030
MTA Purple Line Additional Studies

Opportunity For Use of Single Track Along Georgetown Branch ROW

• Service Reliability or Margin for Error – Wayne Avenue / UMD /


Paint Branch Park way (to lesser extent than other two)
• Maintenance Impacts – Single track complicates maintenance
scheduling and drives up maintenance costs
• Copycat requests – multiple single track segments would pose
even more operational and maintenance issues systemwide
• Reduction in tree loss – single tracking would still require clearing
most of 66 foot width for transitway and trail
• Conclusion – recommend against single tracking any portion
MTA Purple Line Additional Studies

Comparison of Diesel vs. Electric Light Rail Vehicles

• Question posed - Use diesel vehicles in order to avoid


overhead wire system ?
• MTA not opposed to consideration – reduce visual effects and
issues related to overhanging tree branches
• Diesel electric most common form of diesel type – on-board
power source and as a result have higher floor and less capacity
• MTA researched three systems in North America where diesel
units are being used – Camden NJ, San Diego CA, and Ottawa
Canada.
• MTA also looked at electric light rail vehicles in use in Houston,
Charlotte, and San Diego.
MTA Purple Line Additional Studies
Comparison of Diesel vs. Electric Light Rail Vehicles

• Turning Radius – electric vehicles have smaller turning radius


more applicable to streetcar environment of some Purple line
segments
• Acceleration – electric vehicles accelerate at 3 mph / second –
50% faster than diesel electric vehicles.
• Capacity – the NJ diesel electric vehicle has a capacity of 184
(including standees) and the Houston vehicle has a capacity of 241.
• Low Floor – Diesel vehicles have a floor height of 24” causing
problems with pedestrian facility compatibility.
• Cost savings – Diesel light rail system capital cost savings – no
overhead wire system and traction power substations. Diesel
vehicles tend to cost 30-50% more than electric, maintenance costs
are potentially higher, and the slower travel times may result in the
need for additional vehicles.
MTA Purple Line Additional Studies

Comparison of Diesel vs. Electric Light Rail Vehicles

• Emissions – exact comparison not possible without knowing


identifying specific vehicles.
• Other issues – noise and potential pollution from fuel spill and
leakage would need to be examined.
• Visual effects of overhead wire system – MTA proposes trolley
wire – one wire over each track .
• Conclusion – diesel electric vehicles not appropriate because of
need to make tight turns, slower acceleration, lower capacity, no
true low floor and the fact that the visual effects of the wire system
can be mitigated.
MTA Purple Line Additional Studies

Evaluation of Tunnel Between The SSTC and Mansfield Road

• Community Meeting tomorrow @ Oak View Elementary – 400 East Wayne Avenue – 7:00 PM

Estimate of Total Property Requirements (Outside of Right of Way) Shown In Table 2 of White Paper

Primary Factors In Favor of Surface Alternative (Setting Cost Aside For A Minute)

•Feasible alternative may exist to mitigate additional impact on parkland


•Station at library site and Fenton Village area is County priority
•Traffic flow overall is improved relative to the other alternatives
•Impacts are somewhat greater in that “takes” are involved with tunnel
alternative – impacts are not mitigated with tunnel but rather transferred.
Comments On Functional Plan Format

• Graphics need to reflect community landmarks

• Ground level images are needed – too much reliance on aerial images

• Narrative on how land use around station areas is to be handled in future


plans is needed

• Inclusion of statements related to impact do not belong in plan

• Any discussion on land use needs to acknowledge Zoning Code re-write that
is underway

• Other Comments?
The Zoning Code Re-Write Underway
59-C-15.263. Automatic Increments.
Transit access encourages greater transit use and reduces vehicle miles travelled.
For the purposes of this section, transit access is defined as a site with ADA-
conforming access to an existing or master-plan approved MetroRail, MARC, Purple
Line, Corridor Cities Transitway, or a bus-rapid transit station.
Optional Method Density Incentives Zoning Coding Re-Write
Public Benefit, Facility, or Amenity Percent of Incentive Density Section Reference / Notes
Minimum Maximum
Automatic Increments •Simplify and Update
Adjacent or Confronting Transit 25 •Multi-Year Process
Access
Transit Access within ¼ Mile 20
n/a 15.263 CR Zone
Transit Access between ¼ and ½ 15
Mile
Transit Access between ½ and 1
Mile
10
•Part of Process
Connectivity & Mobility •Draft Zoning Text Amendment
Community Garden
Community Connectivity
10
10
20
20
15.264(a)
•Could Potentially Be Used In
15.264(b)
Parking 15 25 15.264(c) Plans Now Underway
Pedestrian Walkway 5 10 15.264(d) •Staff Update In June or July
Transit Access Improvement 10 20 15.264(e)
Diversity
Affordable Housing: MPDUs n/a Up to 1 FAR excluded from GFA
15.265(a) Purpose Of CR Zone
Affordable Housing: WFHUs n/a Up to 1 FAR excluded from GFA
Care Center 5 10 15.265(b) The CR zones permit a mix of
Community Facility 10 20 15.265(c) commercial and residential uses at
Local Retail Preservation n/a Area excluded from the GFA. 15.265(d) varying densities. It promotes more
Unit Mix and Size 5 10 15.265(e) sustainable development patterns
Design where people can live, work, and find
Floor Plate Size 10 20 15.266(a) services and amenities while
Historic Resource Protection 10 20 15.266(b)
minimizing automobile use. CR zones
Podium/Tower Setback 5 10 15.266(c)
are appropriate where impacts on the
Public Art 10 20 15.266(d)
Public Plaza/Open Space 5 10 15.266(e)
environment can be reduced by co-
locating housing, jobs, and services.
Streetscape, Off-Site 5 10 15.266(f)
Wow Factor 10 20 15.266(g)
Takoma Langley Crossroads Sector Plan Update

•Draft Plan On Web Later This Week or Early Next Week


•Public Hearing Draft To Planning Board On May 28th

One Concept For Traffic Circulation In The Area


Amending The Region’s Constrained Long Range Plan
Purple Line From Bethesda To New Carrollton

Key Dates

•May 20, 2009 – TPB Meeting Where Notice Of Proposal To Amend


CLRP is Given[1]
•June 13, 2009 – End of Public Comment Period
•June 17, 2009 – TPB Meeting Where Board Is Asked To Approve
Scope of Work for Air Quality Conformity Analysis For The CLRP
Amendment
•September 10, 2009 – Draft Conformity Analysis For The
Amendment Released For Public Comment
•October 21, 2009 – TBP Meeting Where Board Is Asked To Adopt
The CLRP Amendment and Conformity Analysis.
Amending The Region’s Constrained Long Range Plan

Road Projects Identified For Delay In Funding

•Widening of MD 3 Robert Crain Highway from U.S. 50


to the Anne Arundel County Line in Prince George’s
County

•Widening of MD 28/198 Norbeck Road / Spencerville


Road from MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) to I-95 in
Montgomery County
Thank you again for your help with our
Purple Line Planning !

Next MPAG Meeting Is Tentatively


Scheduled For Tuesday June 16, 2009

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