PATRICK KLASSEN - 04.12.2008 AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE POTENTIAL OF MODERN STREETCARS IN HALIFAX Source: www.btwt.org Source: www.urbanrail. net Source: www.oldtrails. com
PATRICK KLASSEN - 04.12.2008
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE POTENTIAL OF MODERN STREETCARS IN HALIFAX
Source: www.btwt.org Source: www.urbanrail.netSource: www.oldtrails.com
INTRODUCTION background + context + rationale
goals + objectives
COMPARATOR REVIEWcomparator selectionresearch + analysissummary of findings
CASE INVESTIGATIONhalifax profileinventory + analysisroute screening
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
CONCLUSIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
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OUTLINE + METHODOLOGYSource: www.urbanrail.net
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTIONBACKGROUND + CONTEXT
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STAGES OF INTRAURBAN GROWTH
Electric Streetcar
Arterial Highways
Freeways
2000
Traditional Urban Core
CONTEXTUAL MAP
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Source: halifax.ca
Source: swiftreality.ca
INTRODUCTIONBACKGROUND + CONTEXT
HALIFAX - past + present
Source: halifax.ca
Source: halifax.ca
Growing employment: 30,500 by 2026
Growth in key sectors - education, healthcare, business
Growing population: 84,000 by 2026
75% within urban areas
25% within peninsula (21,000)
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Source: Clayton Research, 2006
Population Projection, HRM, 1996-2026
Source: Gardner Pinfold, 2004
Employment Projection, HRM, 1996-2026
INTRODUCTIONBACKGROUND + RATIONALE
Employment
HALIFAX - future
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Source: www.nrcan.gc.ca
INTRODUCTIONHALIFAX - Planning and Policy
“Halifax cannot be complacent and expect growth to continue unless we
nurture the conditions for growth.” - HRM Economic Development Strategy, 2004
“...direct change to areas that will benefit from growth”
“...integrate land use planning with transportation planning”
- (HRM by Design, 2008)
“...the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through transportation planing.”
- (HRM Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, 2006)
BACKGROUND + RATIONALE
Catalyze development and redevelopment potential around a transit investment
Increase transit ridership by better connecting local urban neighborhoods with downtown
Increase transit ridership by better connecting destinations within downtown
Better redistribute regional commuters within downtown
Reduce the environmental impacts of public transportation.
Source: urbanrail.net Source: urbanrail.net Source: flickr.com
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INTRODUCTIONGOALS
THE MODERN URBAN STREETCAR IN HALIFAX
Primary
Determine the potential for the introduction of a modern downtown streetcar in Halifax
Secondary
Examine the strengths and weaknesses (features) of streetcar systems in comparator cities that
might be valid options for application in Halifax.
Source: urbanrail.net Source: urbanrail.net Source: flickr.com
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INTRODUCTIONOBJECTIVES
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Modern Streetcar Light Rail Transit
Primary Application
Track Alignment
Vehicle Format
Vehicle Details
Turning Radius
Station Spacing
Commercial Speed
Downtown circulator
Mostly on-street
Single vehicle - articulated
12-25m long, 2.4m wide
12-24m
150-500m
25 km/h or less
Regional/urban commuter
Segregated, some on-street running
Single or multiple linkes
30m+ long, up to ~ 2.65m wide
15-30m
800-1500m
30 - 100 km/h
CHARACTERISTICS
INTRODUCTIONDEFINITIONS
Source: urbanrail.net Source: urbanrail.net
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INTRODUCTIONCONTEXT
1,500,000
1,125,000
750,000
375,000
0
Average Population of North American Cities with LRT Systems
Compared to Average Population of Initially Screened Cities with Streetcars
Streetcar LRT
Population
COMPARATOR REVIEW
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COMPARATOR REVIEWSELECTION CRITERIA
Karlsruhe, Germany Population: 285,800 Area: 173 km Density: 1,356/km
Saarbrucken, Germany Population: 180,500 Area: 292 km Density: 901/km
Orleans, France Population: 263,200 Area: 292 km Density: 901/km
Portland, USA Population: 568,400 Area: 347 km Density: 1,638/km
Tacoma, USA Population: 202,700 Area: 162 km Density: 1,538/km
Kenosha, USA Population: 96,845 Area: 62 km Density: 1,569/km
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COMPARATOR REVIEWRESEARCH + ANALYSIS
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Urban Connectivity
Strong connection to urban cores - CBDs
Integration to key destinations key to success
Population Density
Average overall comparator density: 1,346/km2
Catchment (500m) densities considerably higher
COMPARATOR REVIEW
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Total Population
Streetcars do not require large total populations, due, in part, to their redistributive nature.
Urban Populations
Average Urban Density
Transit Connectivity
Centralization around major transit nodes
Strong connection to regional transportation
Integration, minimizing transfer time key to success
Source: urbanrail.net
COMPARATOR REVIEW
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Economic Development Streetcars have exhibited positive impacts on:
productivity - increased transit
property values
investment - targeted
business activity
Livability - Walkability - Accessibility
Traffic - long commute = quality of life reduction
Streetcar as a tool for creating more pleasant, vibrant neighbourhoods - Portland Pearl District
Streetcars have directly reduced car ownership
Topography
Topographic restrictions exist, although have not prevented expansion - technical advances
Portland
COMPARATOR REVIEW
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Percent of CBD Development Based UponDistance from Streetcar
Post 1997
Pre 1997
1 Block2 Blocks
3 Blocks3+
Blocks
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Source: ED Hovee & Company,Portland Streetcar Development ImpactsOctober 2005
Portland
COMPARATOR REVIEW
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Percent FAR Realized Based Upon Distance from Streetcar
Post 1997
Pre 1997
1 Block2 Blocks
3 Blocks3+
Blocks
80
60
40
20
0
Source: ED Hovee & Company,Portland Streetcar Development ImpactsOctober 2005
Portland
CASE INVESTIGATION - HALIFAX
Source: Stats CanadaCASE INVESTIGATIONHALIFAX PROFILE
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Halifax CMA
Halifax Core
HalifaxPeninsula
HALIFAX CORE
Urban Populations
Average Urban Density
Population: 202, 668Density: 1903 /sq. km.
Area: 106.5 sq. km.
CASE INVESTIGATIONHALIFAX PROFILE
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Source: Stats Canada
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CASE INVESTIGATIONINVENTORY + ANALYSIS
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CASE INVESTIGATIONINVENTORY + ANALYSIS
Strengths
Reasonable peninsula population - 62,000 (additional 26,000 students not counted in census)
Strong existing density on Peninsula - 3,220/km
Centralized employment - 100,000 + jobs (CBD employs 24,000 alone)
Downtown destinations - cultural, retail, entertainment, services, education
Key destination for visitors - 4 million/yr (WTC - 1.2 million, cruise ships 200,000+/yr)
Growing commuter transit - MetroLink, ferries, rural express bus
Weaknesses
Disparities in policy & practice Limited local bus connectivity
Limiting topography & street pattern Limited funding for transit
Abundant, under-priced parking
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CASE INVESTIGATIONINVENTORY + ANALYSIS
Opportunities
Changing lifestyle - attraction with urban living
Growing population
Densifying Peninsula
Employment growth
Considerable development potential
Growing interest to target development
Growth in tourism
Rapidly pedestrianizing downtown
Constraints
Expensive infrastructure
Limited funding opportunities
Limited political & municipal support for rail based transit
CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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Route Length..................................................1.8km (4km loop)
500m Catchment Population (500m)........8,700 500m Catchment Density (/sq. km)...........4,300Existing Local Commuters...........................2,280
CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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Route Length..................................................4.3km (9,2km loop)
500m Catchment Population (500m)......19,000 500m Catchment Density (/sq. km)...........3,950Existing Local Commuters...........................4,725
CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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Route Length..................................................4.9km (10.3km loop)
500m Catchment Population (500m)......23,085 500m Catchment Density (/sq. km)...........4,017Existing Local Commuters...........................6,075
CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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Route Length..................................................4.3km (9,2km loop)
500m Catchment Population (500m)......19,000 500m Catchment Density (/sq. km)...........3,950Existing Local Commuters...........................4,725
CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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Route Length..................................................6.8km (12,8km loop)
500m Catchment Population (500m)......27,400 500m Catchment Density (/sq. km)...........4,100Existing Local Commuters...........................9,440
CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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Route Length..................................................6.8km (12,8km loop)
500m Catchment Population (500m)......27,400 500m Catchment Density (/sq. km)...........4,100Existing Local Commuters...........................9,440
CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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Route Length..................................................6.8km (12,8km loop)
500m Catchment Population (500m)......27,400 500m Catchment Density (/sq. km)...........4,100Existing Local Commuters...........................9,440
CASE INVESTIGATIONROUTE SCREENING
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An urban streetcar system 7.4 km long would have a catchment population of over
31,000, with a catchment density of over 4,100 /km2, serving 10,750 existing local (on-route) commuters, providing access to all of the City’s identified
key development areas.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
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ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
Rail TransitB
us
Tra
nsi
t
Local Bus
Express Bus
Bus Rapid Transit
StreetcarLight RailHeavy Rail
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ALTERNATIVES ANALYSISBUS
Greater route flexibility
Greater operational flexibility
Less limited by topography & street pattern
Does not require special facilities
Several routes can converge onto one busway, reducing the need for transfers
Lower capital costs
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSISSTREETCAR
Source: urbanrail.net
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Greater ridership demand and public preference.
Greater potential capacity.
Stronger positive neighbourhood/community impacts.
Stronger positive land use impacts.
Stronger potential for external funding
Less air and noise pollution.
Lower potential operating costs
Longer vehicle life span
CONCLUSIONS
SUMMARY & CONCLUSIONS
Source:cooltownstudios.comt Source:imageshack.us
Source:urbanrail.net
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Raising awareness & renewed interest with urban core
Growing interest to foster downtown development
Halifax exhibits characteristics supportive to streetcar
Environment increasingly becoming streetcar friendly
Streetcars better suited to achieved projects goals than busses
The findings of this study indicate that, while existing conditions may currently not be optimal,
there is a demonstrated potential for future application within the City’s urban core.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Source: Google Earth
Complete a preliminary design, layout & ridership study
Investigate the costs associated with the implementation of streetcars in Halifax
Investigate technical constraints of alignmentForecast ridershipInvestigate potential external (Federal & Provincial) infrastructure funding
Research market demand for transit orientated development in Halifax
Commercial + residentialParticular focus on areas identified within this reportInvestigate the potential for PPPs.
THANK YOUquestions + comments