Albuquerque Rapid Transit

Albuquerque Rapid Transit
Overview
System ABQ RIDE
Operator ABQ RIDE
Status Under Construction
Began service September 2017
Route
Locale Bernalillo County
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Start Central and Unser Transit Center
End Tramway Boulevard (NM 556)
Stations 19
Service
Daily ridership 15,750 (projected) [1]
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Albuquerque Rapid Transit, also known as ART, is a proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) line along Central Avenue between Tramway Boulevard (NM 556) and the Central and the Unser Transit Center (CUTC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[2][3]

History

in 2004, the City of Albuquerque began operations of its first Rapid Ride line, as a precursor to a light rail system along Central Avenue. The plans for light rail were disbanded, and the Rapid Ride became a permanent system, expanding to three different lines in 2006 and 2009. Studies to build a rapid transit system using either buses or streetcars also took place in 2006, but no action was taken.[4] Although the Rapid Ride is a limited stop express bus service, it lacks several key features of BRT, such as dedicated travel lanes and off-bus fare payment. The first line opened, and ran from Unser to Wyoming, then going to the Uptown Transit Center. A second Rapid Ride opened in 2006 to the west side, and the Rapid Rides were given color designations, the 766 Red Line and the 790 Blue Line. In 2009, the third Rapid Ride, the 777 Green Line, started service from Downtown to Tramway Boulevard. The Red and Green Line Rapid Rides were designed to supplement the heavily traveled 66 bus which travels from Tramway Boulevard to Unser Boulevard, as well as transport passengers to popular destinations.

Presently, only the 66 bus travels the length of Central Avenue, except from Unser to 98th street, which is served by route 198. The 777 Green line only travels from Downtown east to Tramway, and the 766 Red Line starts at Unser and travels east, but turns north on Louisiana to Coronado Mall. The 790 Blue Line serves passengers from the northwest side to UNM.

ART received a recommendation for $69 million in federal funding as part of the proposed FY 17 budget and anticipates the start of construction in May 2016 pending FTA approval to spend local funds.[5]

Current plans and operations

In 2011, the City of Albuquerque began a feasibility study of creating a true BRT system along Central Avenue.[4] The Plan calls for the elimination of the current Rapid Ride routes, and the placement of a new system utilizing new buses, dedicated travel lanes, transit signal priority, and off-board fare collection. Central Avenue, also known as Historic US Route 66, is not only a popular tourist destination, but a major surface artery through Albuquerque. This street made the plans for starting a transit oriented development scheme a good starting point.

In February 2014, the city filed for federal funding to construct the proposed BRT system,[6][7] and the federal government approved the filing in March.[8] Later that month, the City presented a demonstration bus to the public to generate interest in the project.[9] In October, The City presented its final draft and alternative analysis to the public in a series of meetings.[10] The current design calls for both mixed-use lanes and dedicated Bus lanes, depending on the location. Except for a few stations near downtown, stations will board in the median, and the buses will have doors on both sides to accommodate the platforms. From Unser Boulevard to 98th Street, ART will make stops at existing Rapid Ride stations. Likewise, east of Louisiana Boulevard, ART will share travel lanes and use existing Rapid Ride stops at Wyoming, Eubank, Juan Tabo and Tramway Boulevards. The path will follow the existing 66 bus route, extending past Unser Boulevard to 98th Street.

The proposed route will include several variations on bus priority lanes, including dedicated lanes, bi-directional lanes, and reversible lanes. Lane configuration is based on street width and location. Areas such as the neighborhoods adjacent to downtown have little room for road expansion, so single lanes will be used. Early materials depicted ART making a stop at the CUTC before continuing to 98th St., but has since been amended to depict the CUTC as the western terminus. According to the BRT standard, published by the Institute for Transportation Development Policy, ART will achieve a gold rating upon completion, the highest offered. ABQ RIDE is expected to complete its preliminary design by March 2015, with construction to begin in May 2016. ART is expected to cost $119 million, with federal funds covering $100.6 million (about 84%) of the project.[11] As of March 2016, the city has also promised to consider a 20th stop within the International district, but have not yet announced where that stop will be put or how it will be paid for. [12]

There are plans to create other BRT systems throughout the Albuquerque metro, by various organizations such as ABQ RIDE and the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG). Studies being conducted include an intersecting BRT system on University Boulevard from Menaul Boulevard to the airport,[13][14] and another BRT system on Paseo Del Norte.[15]

There have been no public announcements on what will happen to the existing 24 Rapid Ride buses. Some indications include starting Rapid Ride service on San Mateo Blvd. The path used by the 766 Red Line from Central & Louisiana to the Uptown Transit Center will remain as it is now with buses using the existing stops. This will also remain the case for Central east of Louisiana and west of Coors. [16]

Design

The buses used for the BRT are similar in design to light rail trains, they will also operate similarly to light rail trains. The main difference is they are more versatile and cost-effective.[17] The bus has doors on both sides to accommodate different platform locations. The platforms interact with the ART bus. Typically, on a standard bus route, passengers have to climb a step or two or a wheelchair ramp must be folded out.The ART stations are similar to train platforms in that when the bus pulls up, the height of the floor of bus is the same as the station platform. This reduces wait time for passengers and makes them more handicap accessible.The stations contribute to the permanence and attractiveness of the overall system and often have passenger amenities such as shelters, benches, lighting and potentially, local art work. [18] The ART project will bring in new landscaping to add to the overall design aesthetic. [19]

References

  1. ↑ "Rapid transit debate heads to City Council on Monday night". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Bus Rapid Transit plan moves forward". KRQE News 13. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Map-Albuquerque Rapid Transit".
  4. 1 2 "CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE CENTRAL AVENUE CORRIDOR BRT FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT : Final Report" (PDF). Cabq.gov. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  5. ↑ http://www.cabq.gov/transit/news/albuquerque-rapid-transit-receives-recommendation-of-federal-funding
  6. ↑ "City seeks federal funds to advance bus rapid transit". Albuquerque Business First. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Central Avenue Corridor BRT Project" (PDF). Federal Transit Administration. Federal Transit Administration. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Feds give ABQ OK on bus rapid transit idea". Albuquerque Business First. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "'Train-like bus' on display in ABQ". KRQE News 13. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  10. ↑ "Bus rapid transit initiative moves into public meeting phase - Albuquerque Business First". Albuquerque Business First. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  11. ↑ "ART's price tag rises $19 million". ABQ Journal. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  12. ↑ "Councilor supports ART on conditions". ABQ Journal. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "Meetings Scheduled To Discuss Transportation in UNM/CNM Area". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  14. ↑ "CNM/UNM/Sunport Traffic Topic of Meeting Tonight". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  15. ↑ "Paseo del Norte Study - www.mrcog-nm.gov". Mrcog-nm.gov. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "ART Categorical Exclusion" (PDF). Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "About ART | Albuquerque Rapid Transit". www.brtabq.com. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  18. ↑ "About ART | Albuquerque Rapid Transit". www.brtabq.com. Retrieved 2016-10-22.
  19. ↑ "About ART | Albuquerque Rapid Transit". www.brtabq.com. Retrieved 2016-10-22.

External links

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