Silver Line Operating Plan

Customer Service and Operations Committee Information Item IV-A December 6, 2012 Silver Line Operating Plan

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board Action/Information Summary Action Information MEAD Number: 103112 Resolution: Yes No TITLE: Silver Line Operating Plan PRESENTATION SUMMARY: The presentation summarizes the Silver Line Project with a review of the original and revised service plans. In addition, this presentation provides the Board with a detailed briefing on acceptance conditions and testing milestones that create a critical path to the start of revenue service. PURPOSE: The Silver line is the first rail extension in the history of the Metro system that has not been constructed by Metro. As such, prior Boards of Directors of WMATA set forth policies and procedures guiding requirements for testing and acceptance of the new rail infrastructure prior to the start of revenue service. The purpose of this presentation is to update the Board on those matters, as well as to review and update certain assumptions that impact the service plan. DESCRIPTION: Key Highlights: The planning and development of the Silver line has been conducted over many years following the FTA standard process for federallyfunded New Starts projects. Due to infrastructure and operational constraints, the eight-year-old original service plan that contemplated trains turning near Stadium- Armory station has been amended and the new service plan

includes Silver line operations between the new Wiehle-Reston East station and Largo Town Center station. Silver line trains will operate every 6 minutes during peak periods and every 12 20 minutes during off-peak and late-night. In order to accommodate Silver line trains through the Rosslyn tunnel, eight years ago the service plan anticipated adjusting Blue line train intervals to every 14 minutes in the peak. However, the revised operating plan provides improved frequency and increased capacity for Blue line riders compared to the original plan. This Operating Plan for the Silver line will be included in the FY14 budget proposal. Background and History: Phase 1 of the Silver line is an 11 mile, 5-station extension being constructed under the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA by the Dulles Transit Partners (DTP). The original Silver line Operating Plan was developed in 2004 as part of the Environmental Analysis and Agreements Full Funding Agreements for the Dulles Expansion. The Service plan for Phase 1 envisioned the Silver line operation beginning in Wiehle Ave station, through the new Tysons stations, and joining the Orange line between West and East Falls Church stations, continuing over the existing Orange line to the Stadium/Armory station. The MWAA/DTP construction of Phase 1 is nearing completion, and it is anticipated that contractor s testing procedures will be completed in the summer/fall of 2013. Following the MWAA/DTP, WMATA will conduct a series of testing and acceptance procedures to ensure all components meet safety and operational criteria. These tests will be conducted and certified in cooperation with the Tri-State Oversight Committee (TOC). These comprehensive testing procedures will begin after the Operational Readiness Date (ORD), which is when the construction is complete and most be completed prior to the start of revenue service.

Discussion: In preparation for the Silver line operation, WMATA staff reviewed the existing infrastructure that would be impacted by the operation of the new line. This review is to ensure that the existing infrastructure is sufficient to provide operational reliability, comply with recent safety requirements, and that the service plan responds to recent ridership trends including the Rush Plus services initiated last summer. Change to the Original (2004) Service Plan: From the recent review, it was determined that the D&G pocket track which would be relied upon to turn trains at the originally envisioned Stadium-Armory station would not be sufficient to handle the proposed train duty cycle and could not be improved to meet recent safety criteria. The engineering review identified the following problems/concerns: The pocket track uses #6 switches and due to an aerial construction design, #8 switches cannot be installed. The entire pocket track is on an aerial structure and will require a high level of maintenance to maintain a high level of operational performance. The length of the pocket track is not adequate for reliable 8-car train operation. As a result of these concerns, the selected terminal for the Silver line is the Largo Town Center station. Therefore the Silver line will operate between the new Wiehle-Reston East station and the Largo Town Center station; serving the four new stations in Tysons, merging with the Orange line west of the East Falls Church station, operating on the existing Orange and Blue lines through downtown and terminating at the Largo Town Center station. Changes to other Rail Lines: On the Orange line, there will be a reduction of some peak period rail trips between Vienna and West Falls Church stations as a result of the projected passenger shifts to the new Silver line.

This extension of the Silver line eliminates the need for the Rush Plus service between Vienna and Largo and all service initiating at Vienna will terminate at New Carrollton station. While the Rosslyn Tunnel has operated at its capacity of 26 trains per hour in each direction for many years, the Silver line will further increase the number of trains crossing the Potomac River. Because the tunnel is already at capacity with Blue and Orange line trains today, each new Silver line train must be offset by a Blue or Orange line train. When the Silver line was proposed a decade ago, planners envisioned that half of all rush hour Blue line trains would need to be rerouted over the Yellow line bridge, where capacity was available, to create room for the Silver line. The transition process began earlier this year with the Rush Plus service pattern, when every third rush-hour Blue line train became a Yellow line train between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt. The original service plan anticipated Blue line service adjustments to trains operating on 14-minute intervals through peak periods. However, we have made some improvements to the schedule that will allow Blue line trains during peak periods to operate every 12-minutes and with some eight-car trains to provide additional capacity. There will be no headway changes on the other lines. The following is a summary of the current and proposed throughput at the Rosslyn tunnel: Line Prior to Rush+ Rush+ (06/18/2012) (06/18/2012) With Silver Line Orange Line 16 19 11 Blue Line 10 7 5 Silver Line -- -- 10 Total through Rosslyn Tunnel 26 26 26

Hours of Service and Headways: The Silver line hours of service and headways conform to the Board adopted Metrorail Service Standards. Normal Metrorail service shall begin each Monday through Friday at 5:00AM and begin each Saturday and Sunday at 7:00AM; and end at 12:00AM Monday through Thursday, and to continue Friday service to 3:00AM on Saturday and continue Saturday service to 3:00AM on Sunday. Headways on the Silver line will be consistent with headways on all other rail lines: Peak Periods 6 minutes Off Peak Periods 12 minutes Late night (after 10pm) 20 minutes Weekends 12-15 minutes Preparing for Acceptance and Testing of the rail extension The MWAA-Dulles Transit Partners defines the Operational Readiness Date (ORD) as the date that construction is complete and WMATA can start the testing procedures. For WMATA to agree the ORD has been reached, several key activities have to be completed by WMATA and MWAA. These activities include testing of: Automatic Train Control Power System Track configuration Elevators/Escalators Station Power and Equipment High Volume Air Conditioning Security systems including intrusion systems, fencing, and lighting Structures Safety Certification Rail Geometry Vehicle Testing Communications systems Closed Circuit Television Railcar Clearance Safe Brake Testing

Track Equipment Testing West Falls Church Yard shop addition, yard expansion and sound box testing are critical project milestones that impact ORD Once WMATA and WMAA have agreed that the ORD has been achieved, this becomes Day Zero. Next WMATA begins its own detailed testing and acceptance procedures. These tests will be conducted by WMATA personnel and coordinated with our Safety Department. Testing will be divided into a phased approach: 90/60/30 day testing programs that will ensure compliance with all WMATA safety and operational requirements. Once completed, staff will certify all acceptance conditions prior to revenue operations. FUNDING IMPACT: The budget requirements for the Silver line are included in the FY13 budget and updated for the FY14 budget that will be presented to the Finance Committee. TIMELINE: Service Plan Silver Line Service Initiation Service Plan will be included in the FY14 budget adoption. Silver line service is anticipated to begin operation by end of calendar year 2013 after construction, final testing and acceptance by WMATA. ELECTRONIC ATTACHMENTS: Presentation

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Silver Line Service Plan Customer Service and Operations Committee December 6, 2012

Silver Line Overview Phase 1 is an 11 mile, 5 station line rail extension being constructed t by MWAA Will serve Tysons and Reston Provide one seat ride to downtown The MWAA construction is expected to be complete by late next summer, to be followed by testing and acceptance by WMATA

Metro s Silver Line History This extension followed the standard Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Process: 1994-1998: Major Investment Study (MIS) 2000-2004: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) & Locally Preferred Option Analysis 2005-2006: Preliminary Engineering 2007: Agreement with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) 2009: Federal Grant to MWAA 2009-2013: Construction

WMATA Conditions For Acceptance Eight conditions must be met prior to acceptance by WMATA: Satisfactory completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS); Issuance of a Record of Decision by Federal Transit Administration (FTA); Board approval of final financial plan; Execution of implementing financial commitments between MWAA and funding partners; WMATA's determination of Project completion and its acceptability; Conveyance to WMATA by MWAA of property interest in the Project property for WMATA's continuing control of the Project property; Any indemnification obligation not to be a liability or potential liability for WMATA; and All land use and permitting approvals to be complete and final Completed Underway

Original Service Plan Peak Line From To Headway Mid Day Headway Silver Wiehle Ave Stadium/Armory 7 min 12 min Orange Vienna New Carrollton 7 min 12 min Orange + Vienna Largo 14 min n/a Blue Franconia Largo 14 min 12 min Green Greenbelt Branch Ave 7 min 12 min Yellow A Huntington Mount Vernon 7 min n/a Yellow B Huntington Ft. Totten n/a 12 min Yellow + Franconia Spr Greenbelt 14 min. n/a Red Shady Grove Glenmont 3 6 min 6 12 min

Review of Service Plan Re-assessment of original service plan to: Evaluate changing environment Review existing infrastructure to be impacted by operation of Silver Line to access: operational maintainability conformance with recent safety requirements impacts of Rush Plus ridership

Reasons for Change to Service Plan Review of pocket track identifies deficiencies that preclude the use: not sufficient to handle the proposed duty cycle an aerial structure that will require a high level of maintenance

D&G Junction Pocket Track (Outbound of Stadium-Armory Station) Looking Eastbound Looking Westbound Downtown train Approaching Approach on Eastside

Service Plan Alternatives Alternatives to using D&G Junction were analyzed Extend Silver Line to Largo; 7 min. headway; 14 min. headway on Blue; maintain Rush Plus Extend Silver Line to New Carrollton; 7 min. headway; 14 min. headway on Blue; maintain Rush Plus 7 min. headways on all lines; no rush plus Extend Silver Line to Largo; 6 min. headways; 12 min. headway on Blue; eliminate Rush Plus to Largo

Silver Line Service Plan Line From To Peak Headway Silver Wiehle Ave Largo 6 min 12 min Orange Vienna New Carrollton 6 min 12 min Blue Franconia Spr Largo 12 min 12 min Green Greenbelt Branch Ave 6 min 12 min Yellow A Huntington Mount Vernon 6 min n/a Yellow B Huntington Ft. Totten n/a 12 min Yellow + Franconia Spr Greenbelt 12 min. n/a Mid Day Headway Rd Red Shady Grove Glenmont 3 6 min 6 12 min Service Hours and Headways conform to Board adopted Metrorail Service Standards

Changes to Service Silver Line Pattern: Operating Plan Number of trains during peak hour (7:54-8:54am) At Rosslyn Station (Eastbound) Prior to Rush + Rush + Line (6/18/2012) (6/18/2012) With Silver Line Orange Line 16 19 11 Blue Line 10 7 5 Silver Line -- -- 10 Total through Rosslyn Tunnel 26 26 26

Bus Service Changes Most bus service in the area will change involving: All new stations will have bus service Fairfax Connector will provide majority of the local bus service including new Tysons Circulator Routes serving the four Tysons stations WMATA buses will be rerouted to serve the new Tysons stations Loudoun County will serve Wiehle-Reston East Prince William County will serve Tysons station instead of West Falls Church Washington Flyer will serve Wiehle-Reston East Bus Plans will be presented to the public and finalized in Fall 2013 All service plans are being coordinated to ensure maximum coverage and preclude duplication

Prior to MWAA handoff to WMATA Operational Readiness Date (ORD) MWAA-Dulles Transit Partners defines ORD as the date construction is complete and WMATA testing can start For WMATA, several key activities/actions have to be completed and tested in order to agree that ORD has been reached, such as: Automatic Train Control Power System Track Configuration Elevators/Escalators Station Power & Equipment Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Security Systems Structures Safety Certification Rail Geometry Vehicle Testing Communication System Closed Circuit Television Railcar Clearance Safe Brake Testing Track Equipment Testing West Falls Church h Yard shop addition, yard expansion and sound box testing are critical project milestones that impact ORD

WMATA Activities once ORD is attained Date WMATA agrees that ORD has been achieved is Day Zero WMATA testing and acceptance, post-ord, and leading up to start of revenue service will be broken into three major time periods: 90 day test program 60 day test program 30 day test program All testing must be completed and certified prior to proceeding to next level of testing All Safety Certifications Staff will certify all acceptance conditions including those in prior Board Staff will certify all acceptance conditions, including those in prior Board resolutions, prior to revenue operations