Analyze this.
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According to Mark Fuhrman, Central Corridor Project Manager, a 10-12-hour “technical analysis” is required to compute the Cost-Effectiveness Index (CEI) for the proposed 11-mile LRT line. The CEI supposedly estimates the yearly cost of the LRT line/hour of travel time saved.
The proposed Central Corridor Project eliminates the parking lane on University Avenue. The parking lane is also used as a bus pullover lane. With no pullover lanes, the buses would block traffic at each stop. The traffic blockage would increase travel time for travelers in the corridor.
During the 10-12 hour “technical analysis,” how is the increase in travel time, caused by the buses blocking traffic at each stop, calculated?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT2QxexwpSQ
The proposed 11-mile LRT line would pass through the intersection of Snelling and University Avenues. At that intersection, the volume of north-south traffic on Snelling is greater than the volume of east-west traffic on University Avenue.
During rush hours, the frequency of the proposed LRT service is every 7½ minutes in each direction. Assuming both the east bound and west bound trains would not arrive at the intersection at exactly the same time, during rush hours, a train would pass through the intersection, on average, every 3-4 minutes.
During rush hours, when trains would pass by every 3-4 minutes, traffic on Snelling Avenue would back up for a considerable distance, causing a considerable delay for motorists waiting to pass through the intersection.
Where in the 10-12-hour “technical analysis” is there an accurate calculation of the increased travel time for motorists traveling through the Snelling-University intersection?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT2QxexwpSQ
The Route 16 bus line is the most frequent, most heavily-used, most cost-effective Metro Transit service. The proposed Central Corridor Project doubles the wait-time for a significant portion of the passengers on the Route 16 who do not board and exit the buses at the proposed LRT stops.
Where in the 10-12-hour “technical analysis” is there an accurate calculation of the increased travel time for current bus riders?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT2QxexwpSQ
Sheldon Gitis
St. Paul
Questions and comments regarding the FEIS are due by July 27, 2009
For questions or comments regarding the FEIS, contact:
Kathryn O’Brien at kathryn.obrien@metc.state.mn.us or 651-602-1927 or
Kathryn O’Brien
Central Corridor LRT Project Office
540 Fairview Ave. N., Ste. 200
St. Paul, MN 55104
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