January 18, 2017
Page 3
To: / Click here to enter text. / Date: / January 18, 2017
Project #: / 83423.13
From: / Ian Hamilton, VHB / Re: / NC 54 Multimodal TDM Strategies
Purpose and Background
The purpose of this memo is to propose possible travel demand management (TDM) strategies for the NC 54 corridor, extending from Fordham Boulevard to Interstate 40 in Orange and Durham counties. These strategies are primarily designed to improve multimodal access to locations along the corridor, as well as promote safe and convenient travel among the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the Town of Chapel Hill, the City of Durham, and the region.
The following strategies represent potential, but are by no means an exhaustive list of improvements to consider. It should be noted that not all strategies will act as complements to each other or existing policies. For instance, the University should carefully consider the impacts on the multimodal goals of the University transportation system, as well as the educational mission of the University. These strategies should also be designed with integration into the future Durham-Orange light rail project and North-South bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor in mind.
Travel Demand Strategies Related to Dynamic Parking
Visitor Parking Peak-Period Charging
Similar to the Town of Chapel Hill, the University could charge a fixed, peak-period fee to visitors entering or leaving gated parking on campus. For instance, vehicles that enter or leave the lot between the hours of 7 to 9 AM and 5 to 7 PM could be charged an additional $2 on top of the hourly rate (same fee as the Town’s policy). This fee should not be applied to park-and-ride lots or other facilities designed to encourage multimodal transportation. Ideal candidates for this policy include the Morehead Lot, Rams Head parking deck, and the Dogwood deck.
University Employee Swing-Shift Parking Permits
Many universities, particularly ones with hospitals employing many 2nd and 3rd shift employees, have a discounted parking permit option for these “swing-shift” employees. These permit types limit access to campus to non-traditional periods of time, such as 2:30 PM to 8 AM. These operate differently from a typical day/night permit system by making it more convenient for swing-shift employees to travel to and from designated areas on campus during off-peak times. Examples of university implementation include the University of Washington (WA) and the University of Illinois.
University Employee Limited Arrival/Departure Permits
Typically, off-street parking permits at the University allow parking for permitted vehicles from 7:30AM to 5PM. To alleviate peak-hour traffic pressure on the University, a new permit option could be adopted for designated lots or sections of parking lots. This permit option would be available for individuals with more flexible work schedules than the typical 8AM to 5PM employee and would only allow individuals to arrive or depart before or after the peak commute times. To allow for flexibility in emergency situations, a nominal fee could be charged for accessing a parked vehicle during the limited arrival/departure times. This permit could be discounted to encourage adoption.
Other Travel Demand Strategies
Emergency Ride Home Codes & Advertising
Ride share and an emergency ride home program (also known as a guaranteed ride home) have the ability to make transit flexible and practical for individuals. Roughly a third of single-occupant drivers in the 2014 Chapel Hill Employee Travel Mobility Survey indicated they would use transit more if they were able to respond to a sudden change in plans. Promoting ride share, and making access to it convenient, are essential to making transit more appealing to commuters. Ride share mobile phone applications (apps) often use coupon codes for free or discounted rides. The University could consider implementing one as a strategy to supplement or replace its existing emergency ride program. Rather than viewing ride share and emergency rides as separate transportation modes from transit, these options should be promoted as complements to transit and codes can make accessing the ‘last-mile’ solution convenient to employees.
Walk/Bike Your City Signs
Walk (and bike) your city signs could be useful tools to encourage active transportation along NC 54 and reduce the number of vehicle trips made by residents to locations within the corridor. These signs not only provide wayfinding to nearby destinations, but they also translate the distance into time spent rather than distance. This helps illustrate the feasibility of biking and walking to complete trips for residents living along the corridor.
Class Schedule Revisions
Class times and the availability of classrooms are a highly prioritized concern for the University. However, slight changes in class times may produce tangible improvements in peak-hour traffic congestion on campus. By converting classes to begin/end before 5PM, after 7 PM, or last the duration of that two (2)-hour window, the University may reduce congestion in and around campus.
Other Complementary Multimodal Strategies
Bike Share
Bike share programs are currently being considered by the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, and the University. NC 54 has the potential to benefit from integration into the system. While challenges to active transportation exist along this corridor, improved shared use paths, new wayfinding signage, and electric bicycles (eBikes) have the ability to mitigate many of these concerns. Many college towns such as Fargo, ND, Madison, WI, and Boulder, CO have successfully navigated the town-gown relationship to implement bike share systems. As bike share becomes more viable in Chapel Hill, NC 54 should be considered for integration within the network.
Extend Shared-Use Path to Interstate 40/Future Glen Lennox Development
Currently the shared-use path along NC 54 extends from Hamilton Road to Barbee Chapel Road, just before reaching the Orange-Durham county line. Extending the shared-use path to residents in Durham County would improve access to retail destinations at both ends of NC 54, as well as recreation possibilities to local residents.
Barbee Chapel/Farrington Road Transit Loop
Currently, Go Triangle service runs along NC 54 from I-40 all the way to Fordham Boulevard. However, there are currently no stops between Farrington Road in Durham and Meadowmont in Chapel Hill. Additionally, the 2015 UNC Transportation Impact Analysis revealed that there are a considerable number of UNC students and employees who live along the loop formed by Farrington Road and Barbee Chapel Road, between the aforementioned locations, which are not adequately served by transit. By routing Go Triangle via the Barbee Chapel/Farrington loop, these residents may be able to utilize transit to complete some of their trips. Buses may also be able to avoid some delay during peak wait times at Huntingridge and Falconbridge Roads.
NC 54 Transit Signal Priority
As a complement to the preceding route adjustments or as a stand-alone improvement, transit signal priority could be implemented along the NC 54 corridor. This would allow transit vehicles to slightly extend green lights as they matriculate between I-40 and Fordham Boulevard.
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