Pursuant to NCAC’s direction from the December 20, 2017 meeting, the City’s Transportation Department staff has evaluated a proposed extension of the South Beach Trolley service to Collins Park as well as the impacts of such extension on the frequency of service (i.e., average headways) of the South Beach Trolley service.
The current South Beach Trolley service consists of three (3) loops: South Beach Loop A (Clockwise), South Beach Loop B (Counter-clockwise) and “Via 10 Street Loop” (Attachment A depicts a map of the current South Beach Trolley Loops). Loops A and B each have four (4) trolley vehicles operating along its routes, and the “Via 10 Street Loop” has two (2) trolley vehicles operating along its route. The average service frequency of the current loops is approximately 15 minutes for both Loops A and B, and 35 minutes for “Via 10 Street Loop”. Extension of the three (3) loops to serve the Collins Park neighborhood would result in an average service frequency of approximately 18 minutes for Loop A, approximately 20 minutes for Loop B, and approximately 45 minutes for “Via 10 Street Loop”.
It is important to note that the “Via 10 Street Loop” was developed in response to community input during the public meetings held in 2016 as part of the development of the South Beach Trolley route and service plan. However, based on recent community input, the “Via 10 Street Loop” appears to be creating confusion among passengers given that it turns onto 10 Street rather than continuing to travel in a north-south direction, such as Loops A and B. This conclusion may be supported by an analysis of passenger alighting data showing that a higher number of alightings occur at the Pennsylvania Avenue stop (closest stop to Washington Avenue where this loop turns onto 10 Street) as it compares to the other two (2) stops along 10 Street (Meridian Avenue and Michigan Avenue). The higher number of alightings at this stop may indicate passengers’ desire to continue traveling north or south along Washington Avenue instead of traveling along 10 Street and emerging on Alton Road. Based on an analysis of boarding and alighting data for the stops along 10 Street over a one (1) month period, it was determined that the combined number of average daily boardings for all three (3) stops along 10 Street is 58 and alightings is 112.
Elimination of the “Via 10 Street Loop” would also help minimize perception of vehicles bunching reported by the public. Vehicle bunching typically occurs along transit routes with high passenger demand and high frequency of service. Factors including traffic congestion, incidents/accidents, and lane closures/detours can adversely affect spacing between transit vehicles and may cause or contribute to bunching. It is worth noting that all three (3) South Beach Trolley loops have the same alignment and directionality in the area north of Alton Road/16 Street (including the Sunset Harbour and Belle Isle service areas) and would have the same alignment and directionality in Collins Park, thus, it is expected that more trolleys will be seen operating in these areas at the same time. While this may appear as bunching to the general public, it is important to emphasize that vehicles are operating along multiple independent loops; therefore, it is possible that seeing several trolleys in close proximity may not be an accurate depiction of bunching as trolleys may be operating along different loops, particularly in areas where loops overlap and at transfer points. Eliminating “Via 10 Street Loop” would reduce likelihood of 3 vehicles operating in the same area at the same time. While elimination of “Via 10 Street Loop” would affect customers currently boarding along 10 Street, it is important to note that alternative stops are available on Alton Road and Washington Avenue and are within 900 feet walking distance for 2 out of 3 current stops along 10 Street and 1500 feet for the furthest stop.
Attachment B depicts a map of the proposed extension of South Beach Trolley Loops A and B to the Collins Park neighborhood.