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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommuter Rail Committee-Minutes-5/19/2008. w • G���=yv� =1 e =��i�.-- COMMUTER RAIL COMMITTEE Minutes for Monday, May 19, 2008 1. Caii to Order John Gooding, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Present: John Gooding, Urmesh Shah, Linda Baker, John Paul Burnett, Bartley Butler, James Day, David Grimes, Joyce Hammiil, John Leeper, Michael Muhm, Roger Nelson, Kristen O'Regan, Paul Vigiletti, Absent at role call: Clif Davis (present at 6:40 p.m.), Fred Mills, Rich Hendler Staff: Kelly Cooper and Steve Chutchian 2. Presentation by Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition Chair John Gooding moved to item 3 discussion and project overview with The T. Vic Suhm with Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition (TRTC) provided an overview of regional mobility and transportation concerns, funding process and the future transportation infrastructure needs. 3. Discussion and project overview with Representatives of The T Curvie Hawkins, Director of Planning; Lonnie Blades, Project Manager and Paulette Vander Kamp, Project Manager; responded to questions presented by the committee regarding the cotton belt commuter rail line, station development, financing, safety and security, station impacts to the community and traffic concerns. Attached is a list of questions and their responses. 4. Adjournment There being no further business, Chair John Gooding adjourned the meeting at 9:22 p.m. Minutes taken and prepared by Kelly Cooper. Questions for The T May 19, 2008 responses prepared for attachment to the minutes Station Impact: 1. Specifically, what other Colleyville sites were considered for the rail station and what were the pros and cons of each site? Will The T still consider the other sites if the city feels like another location would be a better fit? Is there a possibility of sharing a station with another city? The Southwest-to-Northeast Rail Corridor (SW2NE) DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) study began last spring with station identification process. Colleyville entered the process mid winter towards the end of the station planning process. Due to this timing, the project team was only able to take a cursory analysis in Colleyville. Two sites were reviewed at Pleasant Run and John McCain. Due to residential impacts at the Pleasant run location, the John McCain site rated more favorably in the evaluation and chosen for the DEIS submittal. The project team did not identify any other favorable sites, but the team can take a look at other locations recommended by the committee between the DEIS and FEIS (Final Environmental Impact Statement) in the coming year. 2. What is the estimated ridership for the Colleyville Station? 450 per day by 2030. This ridership model required by fTA; the COG can tell us where they are going; they use this information to build roads in DFW. 3. How many riders are you projecting coming from other cities to Colleyville? The T will provide to us. 4. Will parking be allowed overnight? This is a policy issue, not determined yet. 5. How will you get people to the station— mass transit? shuttle? How will you get people from the station to "activity centers" to shop, dine, etc.? As part of the DEIS travel model development (for ridership forecasting), a feede� system was developed which is a bus-type network used to distribute riders to & from the station. Ultimately, the city wiN determine if any type of bus distribution service would be developed. Grapevine, for example, plans to use shuttle. The City could negotiate with the T for this service. 6. Does the city assume any liability with having a station? For the City Attorney response; Station ownership is negotiab(e. 7. Is there a possibility of sharing a station with another city? This was not considered as part of the T planning process. 8. Regarding noise assessments, there is a good deai of construction in Colleyville around the cotton belt track. How is non-recurring noise treated when considering the increased track noise as part of the noise assessment? Construction noise not considered in the noise assessment. Check w/ Dave? 9. How will the proposed Colleyville Station be operated? (Manned? Automated?) On existing TRE service all stations will have awtomated ticket machines; generally no staff except for large events such as Dallas Stars. Roving fare inspectors and police are used to check fares. Arrangement with area jurisdictions call for police to help monitor in addition to on-site video cameras. 10. What is included in the environmental impact study? Do you have any conclusive findings? When will these findings be available and how? Can we receive a copy for our committee? What firm or governmental entity is doing the study? It is currently under internal review; should be available in about one month. DEIS process calls for a public review and public hearing. DEIS document wi11 consist of two very thick volumes. Will provide Kelly a copy when available. 11. What is the baseline to determine if there are any environmental impacts? Took current readings of noise and vibrations using receptors along the corridor for a 24-48 hour time period Formula assigns more impact for night, sleeping hours. 12. Are there station design plans available for review? Also are there pictures available of existing stations? Will look like TRE stations. Photo's at the library. The T will provide pictures of existing stations to staff. 13. What will be the height of the proposed station? Will there be overnight lightening? What type of lighting will be used? Overnight Parking is a policy issue. The T will work with the community on overnight parking. The boards poticy is that lighting will occur on all night parking. The type of iighting will be determined with community input. 14. Will there be any community involvement in the station design? Community input on station design afso. 15. Has The T completed an Origin/Destination studies for the proposed commuter rail? Not sure if the NCTCOG model shows the origin. NTCOG does the modeling. Data is given for year 2030. 16. Regarding sound walls and noise barriers along the Colleyville track, who is responsible for putting those items up, and who would fund and maintain them? What is the budget for those items? The T will work with the City staff to determine palicy direction. No sound barriers currently warranted or planned for Colleyvilie. 99.9% noise identified in DEIS is related to whisttes. Recommend mitigation is to use quiet z�nes. If City wants bigger, better mitigation, The T can meet with the city to discuss. Finance: 17. It has been stated that the annual cost to maintain a station in Colleyville is $750,000. How is that dollar amount derived? Where (Colteyville station only?) and what do these funds go to cover? Is this amount subject to annual increases? The T did not produce the $750,000 number. The minimum is the equivalent to 3/8"' of a cent of sales tax. The amount required by Colleyville is to be determined between the city and the board. This amount assumes all costs and does not require extra for the station. This amount covers: station, maintenance, buys track, signal system, capita! costs. 18. Citizens of other communities would use a Colleyville station if built. Does Colleyville get any revenue if we have a station? Would a tracking device (i.e. license plate camera, recorder, software, billing mechanism) be included at the station? Would regular mainienance be provided? The T has worked with NCTCOG to conduct license plate surveys at existing TRE station to determine usage by cities, however, No restrictive parking policy currently exists for TRE, anyone with access is free to use. The T currently pays for on-going maintenance at existing stations in Tarrant Co. 19. What type of economic incentive are you going to offer the city if we agree to the station? None. 20. Will there be a charge to park? If so who receives the revenue? Cur�ently TRE has a no fee parking policy. 21. Upgrading our 3 crossing to quad gates to qualify for a quiet zone has been mentioned if a station is approved. Is the initial cost paid for by the T? Proposing quiet zones; determine through further design work. Consider medians that can't jump but these are not possible at John McCain site so quad gates would be considered. If part of mitigation The T will build. Staff working on quiet zone design. 22. Who will pay for required periodic testing and regular maintenance? This would be part of the 3/8 of a cent sales tax. 23. Will other funding for noise mitigation be provided if a station is approved? Is this a shared cost with the city? If the station is not approved, are there any noise mitigation funds? The current cost estimates include noise mitigation where required. This is not based on station locations. 24. Is funding in place? Capital costs? Operating costs? Percentage of operating costs covered by collected fares? $471 million total. Funding includes $20 million from Tarrant County 2006 bond election; $7-8 million per yea� from Grapevine sales tax (3/8 cent); $5.5 million per year from T's rail reserves; $50 million from NCTCOG through partnership program and $60 from Texas Mobility funds for rail access into airport. Federal money will make up the remainder through a New Starts grant. Operating costs = 12_5 million. Fare revenue is typically not significant enough to cover the costs of operations. 25. How much financial sensitivity was considered in the overall project cost? With cost of commodities increasing dramatically in recent months (e.g., steel), what impact will that have on your financial estimate? Understand costs increase. Have built info the budget a 25% contingency budget. The $471 million is costs in 2008 doAars, not year of expenditures. Wip do all we can to hold the costs within budget. 26. Under what scenarios would the entire "SW to NE Rail Corridor" project not go forward? This is a board issue_ Staff looking at it as a done deal and moving fonivard as such. Traffic: 27. What are the most recent road counts for State Highway 26 traveling north and south through Colleyvilie during peak traffic hours on a weekday? We used COG generated data from their model. 28. What are the most recent road counts for John McCain Road near to the SH26 intersection; going both east and west during peak traffic hours on a weekday and what is the estimated alpha-rated "level of service" (A, B, C, D) during those peak periods? Steve Chutchian is working on for June 2 meeting. 29. What measures will be taken to eliminate vehicular traffic congestion at/near the station at peak/non-peak times? Preliminary studies show no mitigation needed. 30. What are your plans for mass transit to move people to and from the station and who funds it? If mass transit is buses, how often will the buses run? Ta be determined, possibly an added expense to the City. 31. With the SH26 expansion has entrance and exits for the station site been discussed with TxDot? City staff has plans for SH26 TxDot. At this stage, it is too eariy to discuss given we are at the concept stage. 32. The expansion also has medians, has this been taken into consideration? Too preliminary at this time to discuss with TxDot. No entrance to station from John McCain for vehicular traffic. The entrance you see is for bicycle pafh. The area shown as open is open for development, possible gas well. Total acreage of this site is 7 acres. Safety/Security: 33. Have you studied safety as part of the environmental impact study? What are the results? Yes. DEIS. Look at pedestrian and schools in and around the station. Emergency access for responders, etc. Bike path will consider fencing in the engineering stage. 34. If the city chooses to implement quiet zones, and someone gets hurt, who assumes the liability? Question for your City Attorney. 35. What measures will be taken to ensure pedestrians, passengers (moving to and from the train), and "t�espassers" are not involved in an accident with trains at the station? Possible fencing as mentioned above. 36. What security measures will be taken to prevent criminai activity at and around the station? TRE's existing security plan has camera's (24 hour), call boxes, utilizes Fort Worth Police to ride trains, camera's link to rnonitor locations at the downtown Fort Wnrth transportation center, if see someihing, call local authority. Cameras span the parking lot areas. Will discuss with the City on additional security efforts. Other: 37. What are your plans for improving the existing track structure (in particular through CoHeyville) prior to initiating service in 2012 - 2013. This would include the FRA track class in which they plan to operate, a description of the track improvements (including the associated signal system), and the schedule on which the improvements witl be accomplished. Track will be re-built and upgraded to class IV. CTC signaling is proposed. 38. What is the project timeline with definitive markers for the rail to connect to DFW from Fort Worth? Current schedule is early 2013. 39. How much of the maintenance-of-way will be covered by freight traffic on the rails (e.g., what sort of revenue sharing agreements will be in place with freight operators)? FWWRR assists in maintenance currently, future arrangements TBD. 40. The infrastructure improvements that wilt be made in connection with commuter operations will also allow freight traffic to operafe at higher speeds over this route. What is known about the prospect of the Ft. Worth & Western (or any carrier with applicable trackage rights) operating more freight trains when these improvements are complete? DART owns ROW, The T may not gain ownership. Owner determines whether more freight traffic on the lines. FWWRR has local rights only. Working on negotiations with other lines. CTC signal (safest form of track authority), dispatch. Will put in all new rail Timeline for tack work (?) 2010 start. No bids for constnaction at this time. '� Additional Responses to questions asked by Committee members: We wili make application for start-up funding next spring. Viability of the project with FTA? The T contacts them monthly. To compete with other rai) projects requesting funding, the SW2NE needs at least 50% local funding. If we do not receive the federal funds, we may go to minimai operable segment most likely between from Fort Worth to Grapevine. What are the advantages serving Colleyville? Regionally, Colleyville will use, will provide mobility options. What happens if at sales tax cap? Come up with something equal to 3/8 cent. City staff has been approaching the T with regard to station sites, we have not approached. Regarding sound walls and noise barriers — There is a process for these to be constructed, This was not identified as needed for Colleyville based on sound levels. City can talk with the T staff to consider, part of the decision process. What does a sound wall look �ike, what material is it made from? Concrete wall (example, Dallas Tollway). The T would be wilfing to discuss the sound wall issues What type of vehicle/Train? Still determining vehicle, possibly something softer and lighter than TRE. The 430 passengers per day, how is this in relation to other stops? All stops average 500, 500 on and off. Current TRE sites are running a daily average of 9,000. Cotton belt proposed 15,000 riders by 2030. Divide if everyone rides roundtrip = 7500 on and 7500 off. Downtown Fort Vllorth is a distribution and co(lector area. Restroom, facilities, benches, etc? To be determined, will work with the City. If we have those, who maintains? It would be part of an agreement with the City. TRE two terminal lines and South Irving stations have restroom facilities, others do not. How committed are other cities? Haltom City has taken steps toward making a purchase for land. NRH has updated their comprehensive plan to include rail. Consider that pretty cammitted. Any educational plans? Judy Meyers is over the public information team. Hosted a booth at Main Street days this past weekend. Will do presentations at HOA meetings, mail newsletters quarterly, invite the public to attend meetings. New Start Grant process — DEIS, preliminary engineering, final design, provide check to go into construction (2010) will want to know Colleyville participation before (2010) If you take Federal funds are there strings attached? Whether we take the federal funds or not, they cannot determine to run more freight, determined by the owner of tracks. Estimated cost to maintain? Will get amount for Station maintenance What percentage of the totai passenger traffic does the 15K represent? How wiil you address budget shortfalls caused by recession years, etc.? TRE staff establishes annual operating budget: TRE example: The service level is usually consistent. Fare income not a driver of operating budget. Driver for operating budget is: maintenance, labor, fuel. Shortfalls are managed through adjustment to other areas of the budget. Crimes reported? — Will get to us the TRE data Do we need a station here? Station every 3-5- miles; you decide. Speed of trains? Class IV. If there is no stafion speeds can range from 6Q-70mph; if a station then average speeds woufd be sfower, because of stopping, starting at station. What impact would upgraded track have on freight? Would be able to go faster (60mph) Public planning document that will present operation plan. Yes Contingency planning for example a crossing accident? System safety plan will look a lot like TRE. Will provide. Did you consider in the noise study that freight would be going 60mph? Will check. Multiple main and passing tracks? Yes. Passing tracks at station, 2030 operating Noise at starting and stopping at station? Yes Consider grade at track, equipment, stc. No grade issues along Colleyvifle. 2 feet between Smith�eld and Grapevine. Not a breaking sound, wheel squeal comes from curves. No measurable difference according to TRE/FTA. 3-5 decibles. Can City explore another location or partnership with another city? Best time is now. One year from now to be complete. List of criteria to evaluate station. Will provide. COG did a study at precinct line tooked at, concluded no station planning. NCTCOG.org/Transportation Questions for The T 3. How ma�y riders are you projecting coming from other cities to Colfeyville? Project team is stitl locjking into this (COG travel model data). 8. Regarding noise assessments, there is a good deal of construction in Colleyville around the cotton belt track. How is non-recurring noise treated when considering the increased track noise as part of the noise assessment? Construction noise is not considered in the noise analysis. Construction noise is a temporary occurrence and varies greatly depending on the phase and location of construction. Mitigation measures for noise due to construction activities are included in the project specification and contractor terms to minimize impacts. Noise monitoring would be performed during construction to verify compliance to noise limits. Additional Responses to questions asked by Committee members: Did you consider in the noise study that freight would be going 60mph? Will check.: The noise study did not specifically factor the existing freight train noise into our analysis. We based the existing noise level in this area on the 24hour noise measurement, which may or may not have included any freight activity; the measurement data suggest that either there was no freight activity or, if there was, it did not significantly affect the overall noise exposure du�ing the measurement period. In any case, there is very little freight activity on this line at present and the existing Ldn assumption of 55 dBA for this area should be conservative in terms of assessing impact. With regard to future cond'rtions, we did not assume that the project would result in any changes in freight operations. 1) Will the City's financial commitment vary from year to year based on sales tax? For example if 2007 sales tax 3/8ths of a penny was $400,000 and the projected 2008 is 450,000; is the expectation from The T that the City's contribution would increase as well? What if our sales tax decreases, would our contribution also decrease? Agreement must be equivalent to Grapevine's 35-year commitment of 3/8 cent based on incoming sales tax collections. Therefore the amount will vary monthly — if sales are down the amount decreases, if up the amount increases. 2) The total ridership number that you gave us was 450 for Colleyville. Can you clarify does this mean 225 get on in Colleyville and then 225 get off at Colleyville or is it 450 total getting on in Colleyville? Project team is looking into this (COG Travel model data).