Development News

Ann Arbor connector study confirms need for rapid transit

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Ann Arbor

Results of a transportation connector study have been presented to the public, and now the team who put that study together is asking for the public's input.

Findings of the Ann Arbor Connector Feasibility Study were presented earlier this week, detailing the possibilities for rapid transit in the city's highly traveled corridors and, possibly someday, beyond. Main corridors studied are from downtown north and east to the Plymouth Road corridor; south on State Street toward I-94; Washtenaw Avenue; and Jackson Avenue.

"The city transportation plan acknowledged that there was a demand immediately for additional service on Washtenaw," says Eli Cooper, transportation manager for the city of Ann Arbor.

This study's roots go back to several years ago when the city created a transportation vision, which included both north-south and east-west corridors, as well as a local connector providing access to the community's centers of activity. "The question is, how do we connect those travelers to the places they want to go?" Cooper says.

Potential commuter lines to Livingston County or Detroit are important, sure, but if those never come along, the transportation system would ideally still function usefully for residents wanting to get around the city and general area. In fact, for this study's anticipated ridership levels, they did not assume commuter rail services would exist at all, Cooper says, and still determined that those lines could stand on their own.

The area of very high demand, downtown through central campus to north campus, could be compatible with light-rail transit, elevated guideway (like Detroit's People Mover), or bus rapid transit. Shoulder areas, extending from the ends of the heavily traveled routes, might be a good fit for bus rapid transit, streetcars, or bus enhanced service.

The trick is to provide sufficient transportation, without investing too much money: For example, building a light-rail system the entire way might be less complicated, but if people don't use it as much on the extended routes, it wouldn't be worth the money. However, streetcars are cheaper and can use the same track, so that could be an option for lesser-used routes.

The best-case scenario would be to involve the public in creating a transportation vision which allows the area to move forward as a growing regional economic center, without making traffic worse or diluting the quality of life, Cooper explains.

The next step is gathering community reaction and feedback, moving forward with planning and looking at some of the challenges, and then taking that information back to the four stakeholders in the project -- the city, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, the University of Michigan, and the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. After that comes a more detailed look at the costs and benefits of each potential system to come up with what's called a locally preferred alternative. And after that comes funding.

"For me this is very exciting, given that we started out five years ago with a vision," Cooper says.

Visit the connector study's web site here and share your thoughts by clicking on the "Submit your comments" link on the lower left side of the page.

Source: Eli Cooper, City of Ann Arbor Transportation Manager
Writer: Kristin Lukowski

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Ann Arbor connector study confirms need for rapid transit

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