It s revolution! From the PM Meeting the Public Transport Challenge Dick Fleming National Technical Executive Transit Planning Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia IT IS about time that Melburnians began to confront the sausage rather than the sizzle in the transport debate. Rapid population growth (due to high immigration) and rising oil prices (due to peak oil) mean that public transport will have to bear an increasing share of the burden of providing personal mobility if this city is to remain liveable. Kenneth Davidson, The Age 14 August 2008 By 2020 our population is expected to grow to 25 million. By 2020 our economy is expected to grow to $1.4 trillion. With more people and a larger economy we will face greater pressures on our roads, our rail and our port infrastructure.. By 2020, the BITRE estimates that without action, the cost of urban congestion will soar to over $20 billion. That is a national traffic jam of truly national proportion. The same is true for freight a 90% increase in urban light commercial vehicle traffic in the 15 years to 2020. The Hon Kevin Rudd MP Prime Minister of Australia Opening address - ADC Infrastructure 21 Summit, Oct 2008 Increasing cost of oil and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will drive change The price of oil based products will increase Simultaneous response is required Australia is vulnerable to changing market conditions Any increase in transport costs will adversely impact low income Australians Technology alone will not be sufficient to meet the potential fuel supply gap Australian travel preferences are as important as fuel and technology preferences in reducing greenhouse gas emissions The climate change warning The weight of scientific evidence tells us that Australians are facing risks of damaging climate change. The risk can be substantially reduced by strong and early action by all major economies. Without that action, it is probable that Australians, over the 21st century and beyond, will experience disruption in their prosperity and enjoyment of life, and to longstanding patterns in their lives. Garnaut Climate Change Review, Draft Report, July 2008 Australian Transport Emissions Population growth South East Queensland fastest growing metropolitan region in Australia anticipating additional growth of 1.05 million by 2026 Sydney - further 1 to 1.4 million over next 25 to 30 years (5m total by 2022) 70% in established areas as infill Melbourne additional 1 million by 2030 Source: Australian Greenhouse Office 2006 1
Growing public transport demand The future? The response? Source: South East Queensland, Infrastructure Program 2008-2026 171.9 actual 30% Increase Achieving these targets is a major challenge; going further requires a major paradigm shift. Governments waking up Federal government and urban transport Infrastructure Australia Major infrastructure spending in all states Brisbane busways / Inner City Rail Capacity study Metro s in Sydney Metro/rail in Melbourne Gold Coast Rapid Transit system Sunshine Coast CAMCOS, Coast Connect Bus Corridor Is this enough? Can we build ourselves out of trouble? Transformational thinking Step change in infrastructure, technology, services Changes the landscape so there s a response in the: Economy Environment Social behaviours Some examples Development of rail networks Cars for personal transport Brisbane's Busway network? Source: Effective planning for major projects A step forward or a leap forward ; Fleming, Garland, Jenkins, ADC Infrastructure 21 conference, Oct 08 Rosslyn Ballston Corridor Rosslyn 30 year history Court House 50% of residents take transit to work Clarendon 73% Virginia walk Sq to stations Ballston Modest increases in traffic Assessed value of land around stations increased 81% in 10 years 8% of county land generates 33% of county revenues 2
Adopting a systems approach PB review of 18 Metro Systems showed success came from getting the governance/funding structures right understanding door to door passenger trips current and future investing in ancillary passenger services integrated tickets feeder bus networks park n ride facilities maintaining investment across other modes It s a SYSTEM!! Intermodality Getting serious about transit supportive policies Dispersed trips - one the biggest hurdles for delivering effective PT services Exacerbated by land use policies which allow PT unfriendly developments We need policies with teeth which will reduce the need to travel support TOD developments address parking provision consider opportunities for pricing measures Curitiba Canada Policies which focus developments on transit corridors Encourage integration of transit in developments Transit oriented development is not a wild toadstool. It is a human cultivar, demanding care, foresight, and political will. The Great Society Subway. A History of the Washington Metro, Zachary M. Schrag, 2006 Johns Hopkins Press 3
Investing in service provision Major infrastructure takes time Poor access to PT a significant issue for outer suburbs and low density areas around 75% jobs outside Brisbane CBD Token services, low frequency / lack of crossregional connections But mobility could be significantly increased through investing in effective route structures higher frequencies across the day But not sexy, no ribbon to cut and it costs money year after year after year Investing in service provision #2 Investment in services can make a difference in the short term Success of BUZ routes Translink 4 year service improvement program Melbourne bus service levels investment Sydney Bus Reform Liverpool Parramatta Transitway Liverpool Parramatta Transitway Growing at average 20% pa since 2003 51% making new trips Without LPT 41% would use car Developing a PT culture Developing a PT culture #2 Other countries exhibit a PT culture This attitude influences decision making and community attitudes and expectations Paper by John Stanley (Bus Association Vic) Canada seems to have the culture Toronto Transit Commission claim 24% PT Ottawa 16% Why higher investment in services, transit supportive policies We did it with recycling Transport systems must go the same way firmly based on building a culture that encourages pursuit of sustainable lifestyles with local needs and aspirations being pursued in partnership with service providers and policy makers at all levels of government Leadership has emerged as the key issue for public transport into the future. 4
Bankstown Council s Town Centre Transit corridor The problem for transit services Transit corridor Proposal to open up pedestrian mall for bus only access Addressing long term problems for PT access to town centre and the region Council initiative bringing on board Ministry of Transport and RTA Now being implemented Centro Shopping Centre Bus only section Centro Shopping Centre All passengers dropped on south side Pedestrian Plaza A role for everyone The world is divided into people who do things and people who get the credit. Try, if you can, to belong to the first class. There s far less competition. Dwight Morrow, American statesman and diplomat The dearth will end. Public transport will come to our city, and in a big way. How do I know? Not because the Government has promised me anything we'll get public transport because we'll have to. There will be no choice. Sydney, like every other major city, is in a pincer movement whose upper jaw is climate change and whose lower, crushing-and-grinding mandible is peak oil. Elizabeth Farrelly, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH October 2007) A role for everyone The dearth will end. Public transport will come to our city, and in a big way. How do I know? Not because the Government has promised me anything we'll get public transport because we'll have to. There will be no choice. Brisbane, like every other major city, is in a pincer movement whose upper jaw is climate change and whose lower, crushing-and-grinding mandible is peak oil. Thank you Elizabeth Farrelly, Sydney Morning Herald (SMH October 2007) 5
New Public Transport Infrastructure Projects in North America Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management Public Transport on the Move - Technical Seminar Brisbane, Queensland Wednesday 7 th October 2009 John Devney Portland, Oregon, USA Population 1.6 M Density 1,300 people/km 2 67.4 rides/capita 50 km N-S, 70 km W-E 4 LRT lines with 86 stations; 1 st in 1986 New MAX line opened in Sept 2009 Seattle, Washington, USA Population 2.7 M Density 1,100 people/km 2 67.1 rides/capita 70 km N-S, 20 km W-E 1 st Link LRT line opened in July 2009 25.1 km with 13 stns; extension to airport in Dec 2009 Conversion of CBD bus tunnel to share with LRT Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Population 2.4 M Density 1,050 people/km 2 37.2 rides/capita 70 km N-S, 40 km W-E Hiawatha LRT line opened in 2004 to airport 19.3 km with 17 stations; uses streets in CBD Future LRT lines to university at St Paul & Southwest corridor Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Population 900,000 Density 1,500 people/km 2 19.4 rides/capita 80 km N-S, 25 km W-E 2 LRT lines with 20 stns (2002) Future TRAX extensions to airport & fairgrounds Phoenix, Arizona, USA Population 2.9 M Density 1,400 people/km 2 18.5 rides/capita 50 km N-S, 70 km W-E 1 st LRT line opened in Dec 2008 32 km with 28 stations Extensions planned to west & northeast Why is Public Transport Different in Canada? Strong public transport culture Integrated transport agencies Passenger transport planning vision (mass transit) Simpler fare systems with high periodical pass usage Rail lines planned & designed for passenger demand Simple legible networks with excellent integration High frequency services (<5min train, <10min bus) Funding for public transport from all government levels Average farebox recovery at 60% Innovative community engagement Strong public transport industry association (CUTA)
Canadian Urban Transit Association, June 2009 What s New in Public Transport in Canada? New integrated transport agencies Innovative community engagement New public transport projects for urban consolidation Innovative Community Engagement Transit 101 video for new users It s Your Move interactive game On-Line transit advisors Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Population 782,000 900 people/km 2 87.8 riders/capita 25 km N-S & 30 km W-E 1 st LRT line opened in 1978 South extension opened in April 2009 Edmonton, Canada Calgary, Alberta, Canada Population 1 M 1,250 people/km 2 91.4 riders/capita 35 km N-S & 20 km W-E 1 st LRT line opened in 1981; latest in June 2009 3 LRT lines with 45 km & 27 stns 7 th Ave Transit Mall with 11 platforms in CBD Future LRT Network, Calgary, Canada 8 km West LRT under construction with 6 stations 2 new LRT lines planned West LRT, Calgary, Canada Vancouver, BC, Canada Population 1.9 M 1,650 people/km 2 145.5 riders/capita 64 km N-S & 75 km W-E SkyTrain Expo line opened in 1986 Millennium Line opened in 2002
Canada Line, Vancouver, Canada Opened in August 2009 ready for 2010 Winter Olympics 19.2 km with 16 stations Elevated sections; tunnel in CBD TOD development at stations Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Population 950,000 1,700 people/km 2 160.7 riders/capita 20 km N-S & 45 km W-E Transitway opened in 1985 Considering conversion to LRT 8 km O-Train Diesel LRT (2001) Toronto, Ontario, Canada Population 4.7 M 2,650 people/km 2 180.5 riders/capita 35 km N-S & 90 km W-E Transit City, Toronto Conclusions LRT is preferred for PT system expansion with BRT for lower density corridors New LRT lines to encourage high density TOD along corridors, instead of extensions (urban transformation) Early engagement with community & key stakeholders PT culture that expects frequent, high quality services Plan, design & implement PT system with flexibility to handle changing technology