Listen up!
· Train bells sound each time the light rail vehicle begins moving. A continuous bell is used when large crowds are nearby.
· Operators sound a horn when a pedestrian or vehicle appears to be at risk of inappropriately crossing the track area.

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ADOT sees multi-modal transit in Arizona's future
November 19, 2008 - 6:35 PM
BY WILLIAM ROLLER
Yuma Sun

The Arizona Department of Transportation is gathering a consensus in various communities to shape the future of transportation around the state and visited Yuma Wednesday for local input.

In a series of 25 workshops divided among four state regions that included two visits each in the western district of Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City and Yuma, ADOT is looking for visionary ideas of how they want to move about in the future, noted Lucy Shipp, ADOT spokeswoman.

At the newly constructed riverfront conference center at Pivot Point, a turnout of 40 for an afternoon workshop titled "Building a Quality Arizona," civic and business leaders along with residents seemed to agree that mass transit seems to be to way to go but they also realized residents were not going to give up their cars, Shipp said.

She went on that population and employment growth are the driving forces behind a demand for new roads and transit services. Arizona has a current population of about six million that is projected to grow to 15 million by 2050. To keep up with the needs, ADOT is focusing on a series of framework studies to plan for growth while keeping in mind each community's development and economic pattern.

Despite the volatility in gasoline prices, whether $2 or $4 a gallon, congestion on all of Yuma's roadways year-round is a major concern when considering the right path to follow in developing transportation choices, said Scott Omer, PB Americas senior project manager.

PB is a full-service engineering firm that is a consultant to ADOT. Omer helped facilitate the workshop that outlined three possible scenarios for the future.

In 2005, a motorist could get from Flagstaff to almost anywhere in the state with five hours driving, Omer pointed out. Yet by 2050, a motorist would take five hours driving from Yuma to Gila Bend when it only takes two hours now, he said. In order to avoid traffic gridlock, the state must plan ahead.

In Plan A or the personal mobility scenario, residents will continue to use personal automobiles as a primary mode of transportation but new technology will offer more fuel-efficient vehicles along with hybrid cars, and designated high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on freeways. Some roadways will be widened and others added to accommodate new technology transit.

In Plan B or the shared mobility scenario, the shift will focus toward mass transit of buses, rail and bicycling not as recreation but to reach a destination. But this will more likely be adopted by that generation's grandchildren than the present one.

In Plan C or the smart growth scenario, much of the focus is on self-sustained communities where work, school, shopping and recreation are all available where a resident lives. This kind of community will avoid "leap frog" development, that is, unplanned or development that does not fit within community designs, Omer noted.

At a series of four breakout sessions, attendees suggested what future transportation ideas might work in Yuma. Although many liked the idea of electric cars, they probably would not work in Yuma because they only have a 40-mile range before needing a recharge. Yet many favored widening the major freeways - I-8, I-10 - and U.S. 95 to four or five lanes and, along with HOV lanes, include fuel-efficient vehicle lanes.

Other ideas embraced cluster housing with multiple stories and avoiding building developments in outlying areas just because land is cheap and expect infrastructure to accommodate development after it's built. Bullet trains from San Diego to Yuma and continuing to Phoenix were also suggested. And light rail lines from San Luis to Tacna or up to Quartzsite were favored.

Shipp added that the YCAT bus system has been a huge success and should be expanded to more routes and greater frequency, but the funding is not available presently. She noted Arizona's ability to stay competitive and improve the quality of life depends upon local communities collaborating for a smarter transportation system of the future.

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ADOT study aims to get ahead of future transportation challenges
By Cindy Barks
The Daily Courier
November 19, 2008

PRESCOTT - When it comes to methods of getting around in the Prescott area, RoJean Madsen sees public transit as a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Indeed, it was her strong interest in transit that prompted Madsen to venture out Monday night for the Arizona Department of Transportation's latest round of public presentations on its long-range "Building a Quality Arizona" (BQAZ) study.

"We have a lot of problems here with people who can't drive," Madsen said after participating in a group discussion. "I really wish we had more public transit options."

Madsen was not alone in her views about transit. At an earlier round of BQAZ public presentations in March, the need for mass transit was a common theme among the attendees.

Consultants took the earlier feedback into consideration when compiling three northern Arizona map scenarios, which they presented at this week's meetings.

While one of the scenarios focuses on the use of vehicles as the primary mode of transportation, another looks extensively at transit methods, including intercity buses, passenger rail, and local transit services.

The third scenario targets "focused growth," which would depend on mixed land uses to foster a "non-auto dependent lifestyle."

ADOT Public Information Officer Bill Williams explained that the three scenarios represent "broad-brushed strokes," in an attempt to come up with transportation solutions for as far in the future as 2050.

"This is an opportunity to dream a little bit," Williams said.

James Zumpf, planning supervisor for ADOT, told the 20 or so residents who turned out for the Monday evening presentation that BQAZ was the state's attempt to answer a basic question: "How do we get in front of some of these issues our state is going to face?"

The study is projecting that Arizona's population will more than double in the next four decades, Zumpf said - from about 6 million in 2005 to more than 14 million in 2050.

More specifically, consultant Brent Cain told his group, "We are hearing that this Prescott region could grow to one million people (by 2050). Now, do we get reactive or proactive?"

But concerns arose among the residents about some of the study's basic premises.

Gary Beverly of the Sierra Club, for instance, challenged the consultants about projections of heavy population growth in the area northwest of Chino Valley and south of Interstate 40.

"Where are the resources going to come from to support that kind of growth?" Beverly asked, pointing to the network of conceptual new roadways in the area. "If there's not water to develop...why put a road up there?"

Consultants took scores of comments Monday evening, as well as at an afternoon Prescott presentation, and plan to compile those issues into their next round of planning.

Similar meetings are also taking place in other northern Arizona communities.

Zumpf said a third round of public presentations would take place in spring 2009.

The statewide BQAZ study, which kicked off in May 2007, involves four different consultant firms - each handling a different region of the state - as well as a fifth firm to compile it all together.

The Arizona Transportation Board earlier allocated $7 million to cover the cost of the study, according to ADOT.

Contact the reporter at cbarks@prescottaz.com

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Valley Metro Press Release
Passengers: Be on the lookout for changes in Valley Metro service
New service and service cuts are detailed in the December Transit Book

Phoenix, AZ (Dec. 1, 2008) The upcoming changes to Valley Metro bus service are extensive and varied, so passengers need to be on the lookout in late December for impacts to their regular bus routes. Riders can go to valleymetro.org beginning December 1 to see how the changes will make a difference in their travel or to view an online copy of the new Transit Book (formerly known as the Bus Book). Printed copies of Transit Books will be available at all major transit centers, libraries and city hall offices on Tuesday, December 23.

Although changes in Valley Metro service typically occur in January and July of each year, the distribution of the Transit Book, service revisions, additions and cuts will coincide with the start-up of METRO light rail.

On Monday, Dec. 29 key service additions or changes include:

METRO light rail service begins its regular schedule.

Weekdays: Trains begin the first full trip of the day at 4:40 a.m. at the end-of-the-line stations. The last full trip of the day begins at 11 p.m., arriving at the opposite end of the line at midnight. Trains arrive every 10 minutes from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; all other hours, every 20 minutes.

Weekends and holidays: Trains begin the first full trip of the day at 5 a.m. at the end-of-the-line stations. The last full trip of the day begins at 11 p.m., arriving at the opposite end of the line at midnight. Trains arrive every 15 minutes between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.; all other hours, every 20 minutes.

Valley Metro LINK* operates in new 63-foot silver and purple buses as an extension of METRO light rail from the Sycamore Transit Center to Superstition Springs Center (Power Road) in Mesa. LINK operates weekdays every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours. Peak hours are typically from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays only. Weekend and holiday service will operate every 30 minutes.

New express bus service:
Route 536*: Northeast Mesa to Tempe’s Veterans Way/College Ave METRO Light Rail Transportation Center

Route 542*: Chandler regional park-and-ride to downtown Phoenix (via Loop 202 (SanTan) to I-10)

Route 576*: Arrowhead Towne Center to Montebello/19th Avenue Transit Center (operates in both directions during peak hours)

Route 40 that operates on Apache Boulevard/Main Street will travel from Superstition Springs Center to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

SR-51 RAPID will have selected trips serve the City North shopping area at Deer Valley Drive and 56th Street

City of Mesa’s new “Downtown Buzz” neighborhood circulator will serve the Multi-Generational Center and downtown Mesa between Brown and Main streets to Center and Alma School Road.

Red Line is discontinued with METRO Light Rail operating in its place along with Route 40 in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa and Route 15 in Phoenix.

Blue Line is now called Route 39 and the portion below Camelback has been eliminated; also serves the Central/Camelback METRO Light Rail Transit Center.

Green Line will be called 29-Thomas and Green Line A will be called 29A-Avondale.

Route 0 will have 20 minute service during the entire day from Dobbins Road to the Sunnyslope Transit Center and 10 minute peak frequency from Dobbins Road to Central Station

Route 1 will no longer go into Tempe. It will now travel to the Phoenix Zoo.

Route 13 will extend from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to serve the 44th Street and Washington Street light rail transit center

Route 15 will be extended to serve Metrocenter and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Route 32 will serve 44th Street and Washington Street light rail transit center

Route 60 will serve the Montebello and 19th Avenue light rail transit center

On Monday, Dec. 29 major service reductions include:
· In Phoenix, all Monday through Friday bus trips that start within the city of Phoenix prior to 5 a.m. and those starting after 10 p.m. will be eliminated. Routes affected are listed at ValleyMetro.org under Rider Alerts.

· In Phoenix, all Saturday bus service will be reduced to match Sunday levels. This includes neighborhood circulators ALEX, DART, DEER RUN, MARY and SMART.

Other changes in Phoenix include:
Schedule adjustments to the I-17 and SR-51 RAPID service.

DASH Downtown Loop: service eliminated between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

In Avondale: evening service has been reduced on weekdays and Saturdays on 3A, 17A, 29A (replaces Green Line A), 41A, 131 START

In Chandler and Gilbert: Route 156 will have weekday and Saturday schedule changes

In Glendale: Check for weekday and Saturday schedule changes on routes 43, 51, 59, 60, 67, 70, 80, 90, 106, 136 and 186.

In Mesa:
Route 30 will now serve the Sycamore and Main Transit Center and will no longer serve the Mesa Multi-Generational Center, along with weekday and Saturday schedule changes, 15-minute peak hour service eliminated in Tempe

Route 45 will now serve the Sycamore and Main Transit Center and will no longer serve the Mesa Multi-Generational Center, weekday and Saturday schedule changes, and some trips will serve the Apache and Price METRO station

Route 61 will have weekday and Saturday schedule changes

In Peoria: Route 106 will have weekday and Saturday schedule changes

In Scottsdale: Check for weekday and Saturday schedule changes on routes 17, 29 (formerly known as Green Line), 41, 50, 106, 154, and 170

In Tempe:

Route 30 changes listed under Mesa section

Route 44 will serve the new Tempe Transportation Center at Veterans Way and College Avenue

Route 45 will have some trips serve the Apache and Price METRO station

Route 56 will now end at the Priest/Washington METRO station, along with weekday and Saturday schedule changes

Route 61 will have weekday and Saturday service changes

Route 77 will have weekday, Saturday and Sunday service changes

All changes to service effective Monday, December 29 are not reflected in this document. Valley Metro passengers should seek out information about their regular bus routes by going to ValleyMetro.org or by calling 602-253-5000. Be on the lookout for the new METRO, Valley Metro LINK and major bus route changes beginning in late December

* All service and projects funded by the Proposition 400 Regional Transportation Plan funds approved by Maricopa County voters in November 2004.

Valley Metro/RPTA is an organization of 14 local governments that provides or funds transit services to citizens in the greater Phoenix metropolitan and surrounding areas. For more information about Valley Metro public transit services, call Transit Information at (602) 253-5000; for callers with TTY (602) 261-8208; or visit the Valley Metro website at www.ValleyMetro.org.

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Some light-rail stops' names will identify areas
by Maureen West
Nov. 28, 2008 10:44 AM
The Arizona Republic

When Metro light rail launches Dec. 27, you'll pull into stations with names that identify the area, such as Uptown Phoenix, Melrose District or the Cultural District.

The naming of stops for the Valley's new light-rail system may help reinforce a sense of place for historic and emerging Valley communities in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.

Not all 28 stations have been given special names, leaving transit users to decide future nicknames for some stops.

Uptown Phoenix is the station at Camelback Road and Central Avenue, across from Uptown Plaza.

The Heard Museum stop, designed with Native American imagery, is at Encanto Boulevard and Central Avenue next to the Heard Museum.

The station near Arizona State University in Tempe is simply called the ASU Tempe Campus and the downtown campus has a similar name.

At the end of the 20-mile line in Mesa, however, the station is called Tri-City. It has historic significance because it's where a mall by the same name used to be and for some it may also signify that the rail will go through three cities, Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix.

At Seventh Avenue and Camelback Road, the Melrose District station has area boosters excited.

Several members of the Melrose Merchants Association were at the unveiling of the Melrose District station sign last week.

They see the name as recognition of their hard work over the past decade to bedazzle a once-bedraggled street.

Their area, roughly between Camelback and Indian School roads along Seventh Avenue and including its iconic curve, has about 75 stores, galleries, antique shops, restaurants, automotive and other businesses.

They hope those who travel the rail along Camelback will find a reason to stop and shop.

"We have so many art galleries, shops and restaurants that people don't know about," said Bill Chester, who owns Chester's Garage on the eastern side of the Seventh Avenue curve. Classic antique cars and trucks shine from his windows.

The sign unveiling was attended by Phoenix City Councilman Tom Simplot, who also serves as chairman of the Metro light rail board, and by a number of Melrose merchants, including Rich Strauss of Wag N' Wash pet care center, Bill Sandweg of Copper Star Coffee, Jon Douglas of Figs Home and Garden Antiques, Patrick Kelley of Off Charts Too, Teresa Stickler of Melrose Pharmacy, Kurt Stickler of Clayface Ceramics and by Chesterof Chester's Garage.

"Each stop has a different personality and we need to acknowledge and celebrate it," said Simplot. He said is pleased to see light rail give the Melrose District the recognition it deserves.

"When people go through here, they will know they are in Melrose," he said.

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Light rail a global project
Europe, Japan supply parts; assembled here
Ron Sanzone
Dec. 1, 2008 03:17 PM
The Arizona Republic

Building and assembling Metro light rail's trains revealed the complexities of the global market.

Because the light-rail project received federal funding, it was bound by "Buy America" guidelines, which mandate that 60 percent of its contents be purchased from American companies.

In reality, many parts were purchased by American subsidiaries of foreign companies, though the final assembly of the trains and their parts was done in Phoenix.

The idea that the train is 60 percent American is "something of a shell game because a lot of our suppliers are European in origin," said John Swanson, who oversaw the train design for Metro.

Take the the train doors as an example of how international and American construction blended. An Austrian firm engineered and designed the doors, but they were purchased by Metro through an American company and assembled in the United States.

A Japanese company, Kinkisharyo, provided the outer shell and heavy metal work for the trains. Tires came from South Africa. France and Germany contributed electrical components.

"It's extremely international," Swanson said.

Light rail launches Dec. 27 and will run from north-central Phoenix to Mesa.

Inside cabin of a light-rail train

• Console. This is the panel with buttons controlling the various functions of the train. There is also a video screen on the console.

• Master controller. A device used to control speed of the train. It has three gears - power, coast and brake. As a safety feature, the controller will not work unless your hand presses on it. An operator must press on it the entire time.

• Things operator can do inside the cabin: Open and close train doors, contact the Operations Control Center through a radio phone, operate a horn and a bell, turn on a hill-climb feature to give the car extra traction and propulsion.

Countries that contributed parts:

• Austria: Doors, electrical components
• Germany: Electrical components.
• France: Electrical components.
• Japan: Shell of the train, electrical components.
• South Africa: Tires.

Other facts

• The training program for an operator lasts six weeks, and training is under way now.

• When a three-car train runs, there are two operators, one in the cabin of the front car and the other in the cabin of the back car.

Quotes:

• Ty McLeon, a line controller: "Driving the train is simple itself. The direction it travels is dictated by the rails. The console is pretty user-intuitive. It doesn't take long to learn it."

• John Swanson, who designed the trains for Metro light rail: "We went out of our way to make it (the console) simple (to use.)"

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FRIENDS OF TRANSIT, inc.
a 501 (c)(3)
P.O. Box 36916
Phoenix, AZ 85067-6916
(602) 818-1024
info@friendsoftransit.org

Listen up! · Train bells sound each time the light rail vehicle begins moving. A continuous bell is used when large crowds are nearby. · Operators sound a horn when a pedestrian or vehicle appears to be at risk of inappropriately crossing the track area.

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Listen up!
· Train bells sound each time the light rail vehicle begins moving. A continuous bell is used when large crowds are nearby.
· Operators sound a horn when a pedestrian or vehicle appears to be at risk of inappropriately crossing the track area.