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Austin Jenkins, AGM Rail Operations
Jim Starling, WRL Project Manager
Regional Transportation District
Denver Colorado
West Rail Line Update National Association of Active and Retired
Federal Employees
February 12, 2013
The RTD FasTracks Plan
• 122 miles of new light rail and commuter rail
• 18 miles of Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) service • 31 new park-n-Rides; more than
21,000 new spaces • Enhanced Bus Network & Transit
Hubs (FastConnects) • Redevelopment of Denver Union
Station
West Rail Line
• 12.1 miles of light rail
• 12 Stations • $707M capital cost
• Train Frequency
Auraria – Fed Center • 7.5 min (peak) • 15 min (off peak)
Fed Center to Jeffco • 15 min
• Opened April 26, 2013
West Rail Line
West Rail Schedule
2001 - 2003 Environmental Impact Statement 2004 FasTracks Ballot Initiative
2004 - 2008 Design 2009 - 2012 Construction Jan - Feb 2013 Integrated Testing March 5, 2013 Line turned over to RTD Rail Operations April 26, 2013 West Rail open to public
Major Challenges Very narrow right-of-way (old rural residential)
Staying within budget while dealing with:
– Community Expectations
– Material Cost Increases
300+ partial acquisitions
- Widening of 13th Avenue
- Bike Path
Number of Bridges
Neighborhood Proximity
More than three miles of the line travels within 20 feet of residential properties in Lakewood 20 at-grade crossings Five elementary schools within four blocks of the tracks, one immediately adjacent. Creates unique situations where noise and neighborhood cohesiveness (soundwalls vs fencing) are at odds with best safety practices, making safety outreach even more important.
Safety Outreach
Coordination with multiple entities to develop safe traffic and pedestrian practices at schools near rail crossings:
City of Lakewood Bicycle Colorado Operation Lifesaver West Metro Fire Jefferson County Schools
Back to school nights
Provide bilingual walking and biking materials and giveaways
Safety Road Show Automated rail crossing demonstration Full days at schools within four blocks of the new rail line (Fall/Spring)
Safety Video Production and Distribution
Quiet Crossings
Eleven crossings through the neighborhoods – 212 trains/day Neighborhoods request to run quiet through the crossings (no horns, no bells on gates) during EIS process RTD makes request to PUC – blind community has concerns Coordination between blind community, neighbors, RTD and PUC to reach compromise:
• noise demonstrations of various sounds and noise levels • on-site demonstrations with RTD, blind community • neighborhood walks with residents, RTD, blind community • on-site demonstrations of compromise agreement
PUC accepts compromise solution
West Rail Line Safety Reviews
APTA Peer Review – June 2012 MAP 21-based “Readiness” Reviews – for Integrated Testing, Revenue Service Safety/Security Readiness Review (SSRR)
FTA Safety and Security, Washington DC
Readiness for Revenue Operations
Review of documents – April 2012 Draft Report – December 2012 Close Out Tour – April 2013 Participants FTA PMOC Evaluation Team RTD Project Management RTD Systems Engineering RTD Safety and Security RTD Rail Operations
13
West Rail Schedule Operations Phase
March 4 – March 24: Staff training over the line (+200 Transportation Dept)
March 25 – April 26: Pre-revenue operations, schedule proving, First Responder drills, tours
April 13 - Family Day
April 26 - Opening Day Ceremonies
April 27 – Station Parties, Free Ride
April 28 – “Regular” Service!
Lessons Learned
MAP 21 is new; both the regulators and the property were in a “learning” mode
Having a good relationship with Local/Regional FTA
staff is helpful Having agreed-upon document transfer (Aconex)
vehicle assures sure information flow
Lessons Learned continued
Clearly-defined phases was helpful:
Construction phase
Integrated Test phase
A bright line between “testing” phase and “Operations” ownership
• Critical elements must be completed and functional