TEMPE/MESA STREETCAR FEASIBILITY STUDY Final Report

JULY 2020

Final ReportTEMPE/MESA STREETCAR FEASIBILITY STUDY

Introduction

Table of Contents Introduction ................................................... 2

Background.................................................... 3

Analysis Process .......................................... 4

Initial Screening............................................ 5

Tier 1 Evaluation ........................................... 6

Tier 2 Evaluation ...........................................7

Prioritized Corridors.................................... 8

Streetcar Conceptual Designs................. 9

Community Outreach ............................... 10

Next Steps..................................................... 11

Valley Metro, in coordination with the City of Tempe, City of Mesa and Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), conducted the Tempe/Mesa Streetcar Feasibility Study (TMSFS) to evaluate the potential of a future streetcar system to connect points of interest, planned developments and emerging transit corridors in the East Valley.

The study identifed potential corridors for a future streetcar system to serve Tempe and Mesa. These corridors are proposed as potential extensions to the Tempe Streetcar project, a 3-mile modern streetcar line that is scheduled to open in 2021. The results of the study will help both cities plan and prioritize future transit investments.

This report summarizes the study’s methodology, recommended corridors and next steps to realize future streetcar corridors in the East Valley

TEMPE/MESA STREETCAR FEASIBILITY STUDYFINAL REPORT 2


Background

TEMPE TOWN LAKE

Mesa Asian District

University Dr

Rio Salado Pkwy

Mesa

Tempe

Apache Blvd

Baseline Rd

Main St

Southern Ave

Broadway Rd

Rura

l Rd

McC

linto

ck D

r

Dob

son

Rd

Alam

a Sc

hool

Rd

Exte

nsio

n Rd

Coun

try

Club

Dr

Long

mor

e

Mill

Ave

Prie

st D

r

Har

dy D

r

101

202

60

Former FiestaMall

ASUDowntown

Mesa

DowntownTempe

Tempe Center for the Arts

Mesa Community

College

Tempe Marketplace

NovusInnovation Corridor

Mesa Riverview

Tempe Library

Banner Desert Medical Center

Sloan Park

Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex

Riverview Park

Valley Metro Rail/Station Tempe Streetcar Route/Stop Study AreaLEGEND

The study area for TMSFS is defined as the area bounded by Loop 202 to the north, Country Club Drive to the east, Baseline Road to the south and Priest Drive to the west.

The streetcar system extension would serve employment and educational centers in the study area including:

• Mesa Riverview and Sloan Park

• Tempe Marketplace

• Marina Heights

• Arizona State University

• Mesa Community College

• Downtown Tempe

• Downtown Mesa

• Tempe Public Library

• Novus Innovation Corridor

Based on data from the MAG Regional Travel Forecasting Model by 2040 the study area is predicted to have:

50%Increase in residents

58%More zero or one-car households

34%Increase in workers

Source: MAG 2017 Regional Travel Forecasting Model

What is the purpose of a streetcar system extension?

• To enhance high-capacity transit (HCT) connectivity to the existinglight rail, Tempe Streetcar and potential future projects in the FiestaDistrict in Mesa and along the Arizona Avenue corridor in Chandler

• To support growing population and employment in the study area

• To assist with travel demand within the study area and betweendowntown Tempe and downtown Mesa

• To further the momentum of economic and transit-oriented devel-opment in the study area

• To support regional efforts for congestion mitigation and air qualityimprovement

• To aid mobility of transit-dependent populations


InitialScreening

Identify corridors that meet project’s Purpose and Need and have high propensity for transit improvements.

Qualitative, high-level analysis.

Quantitative, in-depth analysis.

Recommendation for future regional transit funding.

RecommendCorridors

Tier 1Evaluation

Tier 2Evaluation

2018 2019 2020

Analysis Process

The TMSFS used a two-tiered evaluation process to assess potential streetcar corridors.


Initial Screening

An initial screening of major roadways in the study area was first conducted based on findings from the MAG Regional Transit Framework Study (RTFS) provided in February 2018, the Valley Metro Transit Standards and Performance Measures (TSPM) Transit Propensity Tool and compatibility to local transportation or transit master plans.

The four corridors with the lowest compatibility to the project’s goals and objectives were removed from consideration for the next step of the analysis. These corridors were: Baseline Road (6), McClintock Drive (9), Alma School Road (11) and Extension Road (12).

TEMPE TOWN LAKE

1

5

7 8

6

2

9 10 1311 12

3

4

University Dr

Rio Salado Pkwy

Mesa

Tempe

Apache Blvd

Baseline Rd

Main St

Southern Ave

Broadway Rd

Rura

l Rd

McC

linto

ck D

r

Dob

son

Rd

Alam

a Sc

hool

Rd

Exte

nsio

n Rd

Coun

try

Club

Dr

Long

mor

e

Mill

Ave

Prie

st D

r

Har

dy D

r

101

202

60

Former FiestaMall

ASUDowntown

Mesa

DowntownTempe


Mesa Community

College

Tempe Marketplace


Mesa Riverview

Tempe Library


Sloan Park

Riverview Park

Tempe Beach Park

Mesa Asian District

Valley Metro Rail/Station

Tempe Streetcar/Station

Study Area

Low

Medium

High

Initial Corridor Compatibility

LEGEND


Tier 1 Evaluation

TEMPE TOWN LAKE

1A

3A

2A1B

1C

3B 3C

4A 4B 4C

5A 5B 5C

7A

7B

8B

8A

8C

10A

10B

10C

13A

13B

13C

University Dr

Rio Salado Pkwy

Mesa

Tempe

Apache Blvd

Baseline Rd

Main St

Southern Ave

Broadway Rd

Rura

l Rd

McC

linto

ck D

r

Dob

son

Rd

Alam

a Sc

hool

Rd

Exte

nsio

n Rd

Coun

try

Club

Dr

Long

mor

e

Mill

Ave

Prie

st D

r

Har

dy D

r

101

202

60

Former FiestaMall

ASUDowntown

Mesa

DowntownTempe


Mesa Community

College

Tempe Marketplace


Mesa Riverview

Tempe Library


Sloan Park

Riverview Park

Mesa Asian District

Valley Metro Rail/Station Tempe Streetcar Route/Stop Study AreaLEGEND

HighTier 1 Evaluation Score

LowMedium

Five corridor options were identified by segments and advanced to the Tier 2, final evaluation:

Rio Salado Parkway East (Segment 1A) Connects to area with future development

Rural Road (Segments 8A, 8B and 5A) Has high transit ridership and connects to activity centers

Dobson/Southern/Country Club (Segments 10A, 10B, 5C and 13B)

Connects to activity centers and area with future development

Mill Avenue (Segments 7A and 5A) Connects to Tempe High School, Library and Museum

Rio Salado Parkway West (Segment 2A) Connects to area with future development and employment

The Tier 1 Evaluation was generally qualitative and assessed high-level impacts of a potential streetcar to the physical environment, existing transit riders, future population and employment, and land use along each corridor option.


In the Tier 2 evaluation, conceptual designs were created for the five routes and they were ranked in six categories:

Final Corridor Options for Potential Streetcar Extension

In coordination with the cities of Tempe and Mesa, the project team identified three categories to receive greater weight in the evaluation:

• Mobility Improvements• Access Opportunities• Land Use and Economic Development Potential

Mobility Improvements: forecasted number of riders that the route may attract (from STOPS computer modeling)

Access Opportunities: future population and employment, existing transit connections and bikeways/paths

Potential Impacts: environmental, historic and cultural resources, right of way and utilities

Land Use and Economic Development Potential: consistency with local plans, available land for redevelopment

Cost: high-level costs to build and operate streetcar along the route

Efficiencies: how efficiently could the route be built and operated

$

Tier 2 Evaluation

The results of the Tier 2, final evaluation led the project team to rank the five corridors as follows:

1. Rio Salado Parkway East2. Rural Road3. Dobson/Southern/Country Club4. Mill Avenue5. Rio Salado Parkway West

TEMPE TOWN LAKE

University Dr

Rio Salado Pkwy

Mesa

Tempe

Apache Blvd

Baseline Rd

Main St

Southern Ave

Broadway Rd

Rura

l Rd

McC

linto

ck D

r

Dob

son

Rd

Alm

a Sc

hool

Rd

Exte

nsio

n Rd

Coun

try

Club

Dr

Long

mor

e

Mill

Ave

Prie

st D

r

Har

dy D

r

101

202

60

Former Fiesta

Mall

ASUDowntown

Mesa

DowntownTempe


Mesa Community

College

Tempe Marketplace


Mesa Riverview

Tempe Library


Sloan Park

Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex

Riverview Park

Mesa Asian District


Tempe Streetcar/Stop(Opening 2021)

Study Area

LEGEND

Potential Future ConnectionsRio Salado Parkway East OptionRural Road OptionDobson/Southern/Country Club Option

Mill Avenue OptionRio Salado Parkway West Option


Prioritized CorridorsEach corridor option has unique opportunities andchallenges to be feasible for streetcar.

Rio Salado Parkway East:

• High potential for future ridership given the planned mixed-use and multi-family developments along Rio Salado Parkway

• Tempe is requiring 14-foot easements on both north and south sides of the road, from Priest Drive east to the Tempe-Mesa boundaries, which could lessen the potential right of way impact to build streetcar

• No existing transit service or transit market along the entire route of this corridor

Rural Road:

• Existing land use and transit market supportive additionalHCT investment

• Regionally identified (in MAG 2019 RTFS Update and 2020 Regional BRT Study) as a target for HCT investment due to the corridor’s existing transit market and large population and employment densities

• Fewer opportunities for redevelopment

Dobson/Southern/Country Club:

• Identified as the recommended alternative in the Fiesta District Alternatives Analysis (FDAA), serving large activity centers such as Mesa Riverview, Mesa Asian District, MesaCommunity College and downtown Mesa

• Multiple opportunities for phasing to connect large activitycenters

• Longest and most expensive corridor option

Mill Avenue:

• Large residential population with option to avoid significantright of way impacts and provide service to Arizona State University and Tempe High School

• Designated as a streetcar focus area since initially considered as an option for the Tempe Streetcar project

• Fewer opportunities for redevelopment

Rio Salado Parkway West:

• Prime for redevelopment, as multiple multi-family and destination projects have recently been constructed orplanned, including the I.D.E.A. Tempe campus

• Features a 14-foot transit easement along both sides of theroad which could lessen the potential right of way impact to build streetcar

• Major utility lines generally along Rio Salado Parkway andpotential encroachment on Tempe Beach Park


Streetcar Conceptual Designs

Turn Lane Travel LaneTravel LaneTravel Lane Shared Lane Shared Lane Bike Lane

Bike Lane

Sidewalk Sidewalk

Turn Lane Shared LaneTravel LaneShared Lane Travel LaneSidewalk Sidewalk

Travel Lane Travel LaneTravel Lane Travel Lane Streetcar Guideway Bike Lane

Bike Lane

Sidewalk Sidewalk

SidewalkTravel Lane MedianTravel Lane Travel LaneTravel LaneSidewalk Streetcar Guideway

Conceptual designs were developed for a preliminary understanding of potential impacts to roadway configurations. Several different configurations could be used in these corridor options, including:

Semi-exclusive guideway where the streetcar travels in the median or on the side of the road without other vehicles. Requires repurposing automobile lanes or widening the right of way.

Mixed-flow guideway where automobiles and streetcar share lanes together either in the median or curb lanes. Uses the existing lanes or right of way of the road.


Community OutreachTargeted community outreach was conducted for this early-stage technical evaluation. Broadercommunity outreach will be a part of future studies.

In the city of Tempe, outreach efforts were paired with Tempe Urban Core Master Plan,Tempe Streetcar and a series of meetings were held with community commissions:

• Commission on Disability Concerns• Neighborhood Advisory Commission• Development Review Commission• Sustainability Commission• Historic Preservation Commission• City Manager’s Update to City Council• Arts and Culture Commission• Parks, Recreation, Golf and Double Butte

Cemetery Advisory Board• Transportation Commission

In the city of Mesa, outreach efforts were paired with the concurrent Fiesta District Alternatives Analysis (FDAA) studysince there was overlap with the TMSFS. Outreach for the FDAA study included:

• Twelve meetings with key businessstakeholders

• Two public meetings• Two online surveys• Meetings with Mesa Economic Development

Advisory Board and Transportation Advisory Board

Community outreach included:

Key Stakeholder Meetings

Public MeetingsOnline Presence


Each option has unique actions that are recommended to further prioritize the corridor for future streetcar extension.

Rio Salado Parkway East:

• Extend Route 48 along Rio Salado Parkway from TempeMarketplace to Mesa Riverview.

• Continue coordination with developers to seek opportunitiesto integrate streetcar into developments such as NovusInnovation Corridor, Tempe Marketplace and Mesa Riverview.

• Continue requiring the 14-foot transit easement for all newdevelopment or redevelopment along the corridor in Tempe.

• Promote land use changes complementary to the TempeUrban Core Master Plan.

Rural Road:

• Continue evaluating corridor for regional HCT investments,as identified in MAG RTFS and Regional BRT Study.

• Continue coordination with developers to seek opportunities

to integrate streetcar into developments such as NovusInnovation Corridor and Arizona State University.

• Promote development and land use changes

complementary to the Tempe Urban Core Master Plan.

Dobson/Southern/Country Club:

• Implement a uniquely branded local circulator route tofurther develop a transit market along this corridor.

• Expand the transit priority corridor designation in the cityof Mesa’s General Plan update beyond Southern Avenue toinclude Dobson Road and Country Club Drive.

• Encourage developers along the corridor to implementtransit-oriented development elements, such as higher-density mixed uses and street-oriented building designs.

Mill Avenue:

• Continue improving existing transit services in the corridorby increasing frequency and improving travel speed andreliability.

• Continue making investments in safe multi-modalransportation infrastructure along the corridor.t

• Promote development and land use changescomplementary to the Tempe Urban Core Master Plan.

Rio Salado Parkway West:

• Promote more transit-supportive land use changes alongthe corridor (e.g. decrease industrial uses).

• Coordinate with developers along the corridor to seekopportunities for integrating streetcar into developments.

• Integrate 14-foot transit easement along both sides of RioSalado Parkway.

• Promote development and land use changescomplementary to the Tempe Urban Core Master Plan.

Next Steps: Transit-Supportive Decisions


Next Steps: Regional Planning

TEMPE TOWN LAKE

TEMPE TOWN LAKE

DowntownTempe

Tempe Library

TEMPE TOWN LAKE1

2

3

University Dr

Rio Salado Pkwy

Apache Blvd

Baseline Rd

Main St

Southern Ave

Broadway Rd

Rura

l Rd

McC

linto

ck D

r

Dob

son

Rd

Alm

a Sc

hool

Rd

Exte

nsio

n Rd

Coun

try

Club

Dr

Long

mor

e

Mill

Ave

Prie

st D

r

Har

dy D

r

101

202

60

Mesa

Tempe

Rural/Scottsdale Road indentified for future transit investments that include BRT


Study Area

Tempe Streetcar/Stop (Opening 2021)

Activity Center

LEGEND

Rio Salado Parkway East Option Rio Salado Parkway West OptionRural Road Option Dobson/Southern/Country Club Option Potential Future Connections

Mill Avenue Option

In early 2020, MAG announced a call for projects to inform their effort in developing a new regional transportation plan (RTP) and extending Maricopa County’s dedicated transportation sales tax (Proposition 400).

To advance the advance TMSFS results, city of Tempe submitted two projects to MAG from this study:

1. Rio Salado Parkway (combinationof Rio Salado Parkway East to PriceRoad and Rio Salado Parkway Westto Priest Drive)

2.Mill and Southern avenues (MillAvenue option with the SouthernAvenue portion extended east toPrice Road)

City of Mesa submitted:

3. Combination of Dobson/Southern/Country Club and the Mesa portion of Rio Salado Parkway East. This corridor is consistent with the FDAA recommended alternative for HCT investment.

1

2

3

Documents

TEMPE/MESA STREETCAR FEASIBILITY STUDY Final Report