San Francisco Mobility Access and Pricing Study: Study Findings and Public Feedback

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITYDecember 14, 2010

Study Findings and Feedback

San FranciscoMobility, Access & Pricing Study

What is congestion pricing?Package of projects manage congestion

Fee paid by motorists using congested areas or roads at congested times

Revenues re-invested in transportation improvements

transit servicessignal timingbicycle accessstreetscape enhancementsand more…

Key BenefitsFaster, more reliable trips for all travelersImproved traffic flow and road safetyLower vehicle emissionsFunds reinvested in transportation options

LondonImprovements include 14,000 new bus seats $200M net revenue annually 30% less congestion16% reduction in vehicle emissions

StockholmImprovements include 2,800 new park & ride spaces$100M net revenue annually 22% less congestion14% reduction in vehicle emissions

RomeImprovements include 14 new regional bus lines$65M net revenue annually 20% less congestion

www.sfcta.org/sfmobility | twitter.com/SanFranciscoTA | www.facebook.com/sfmobility

Why study congestion pricing?Bay Area is among top 5 most congested regions in the nation (Texas Transportation Institute)

Average peak period trip to Downtown SF is twice as long as off-peak trip

San Francisco sacrificed over $2 billion to congestion in 2005 (over $3B/yr by 2030)

Transportation is responsible for over half of greenhouse gas emissions in SF

2004 SF Countywide Transportation Plan

2004 SF Climate Action Plan

Divisadero, 8 am (Jan 2009)

Bush St, 8 am (Jan 2009)

Stanyan, 9 am (Jan 2009)

Stockton, 5 pm(Jan 2009)

3rd St, 8 am (Jan 2009)

Franklin, 9 am (Jan 2009)

3www.sfcta.org/sfmobility | twitter.com/SanFranciscoTA | www.facebook.com/sfmobility

Courtesy, SF Planning Department

View from Treasure Island | View from Treasure Island | Skyline todaySkyline today

Courtesy, SF Planning Department

View from Treasure Island | View from Treasure Island | According to the Transbay PlanAccording to the Transbay Plan

Our Citywide development goals rely on improving the downtown core:

Strengthen the city’s regional competitiveness

Create a more livable city

Ensure a healthy environment

Provide world-class infrastructure

Goals for the Future


Robust solutions are needed to manage demand and generate revenue

for investment in infrastructure

Our Citywide development goals rely on improving the downtown core:

Strengthen the city’s regional competitiveness

Create a more livable city

Ensure a healthy environment

Provide world-class infrastructure

Goals for the Future


Robust solutions are needed to manage demand and generate revenue

for investment in infrastructure

FINAL REPORT OVERVIEW:

Is congestion pricing feasible in San Francisco, particularly in context of city goals?

What are feasible scenarios, along with potential benefits and impacts?

What are range of improvements for travelers to/from charging zones?

What are potential next steps?

FINAL REPORT OVERVIEW:

Is congestion pricing feasible in San Francisco, particularly in context of city goals?

What are feasible scenarios, along with potential benefits and impacts?

What are range of improvements for travelers to/from charging zones?

What are potential next steps?

How congestion pricing could work

Fee Analyzed

Weekdays Weekends

Discounts Analyzed

Disabled DriversZone ResidentsLow-income Drivers

(50%)$6 daily cap

$1 rebate on bridge tollsFleet program for businesses

6am – 9am $3 NO FEE

9am – 3pm

3pm – 7pm $3 NO FEE

evenings

NO FEE NO FEE

NO FEE NO FEE


AM/PM Northeast Cordon performs best

9

Laguna

18th Street

Northeast Cordon(AM/PM, $3)


12% fewer peak period auto trips

21% reduction in VHD

16% reduction in Northeast Cordon GHGs

$60-80M annual net revenue

20-25% transit speed improvement

12% reduction in pedestrian incidents

Reinvestment of funds—program could generate $60-80M/yr

10

Up-front/Day One:San Francisco

BRT in key corridors (Van Ness, Geary)Signal priority and peak bus-only lanes on Fulton, Mission, CaliforniaBike lanes citywideReal-time signage and wayfinding

Regional improvementsBART station wayfinding, capacity, access improvements101 corridor management / HOV laneCaltrain access improvements

Ongoing/Annual:San Francisco

More frequent rapid/express service

Street paving/pothole repair

Traffic calming

Streetscape improvements

Parking management & enforcement

Regional/programmatic improvements

More frequent regional/express service

School, worksite TDM programs

Power-washing sidewalks


A measured approach – candidate pilot programs

11

In the near-term, a pilot would:

Respond to public feedbackDemonstrate proof-of-conceptAllow for program evaluation

Southern Gateway(AM/PM, $3)

Northeast Cordon(PM outbound only, $6)


Scenario Comparison – by the numbersNE Cordon(AM/PM)

NE Cordon (PM, outbound)

Fee analyzed $3 am/pmboth directions

$6 pmoutbound only

$3 am/pmboth directions

Daily Person Trips (NE Cordon) negligible (less than 0.5% change)

Daily Vehicle Hours of Delay (NE Cordon) -21% -10% -4%

Change in PM2.5 Emissions (NE Cordon) -17% -11% -8%

Change in Collisions (NE Cordon) -12% -5% -3%

$60 – 80M

-12%

-4%

up to 20%

Peak Auto Trips to/from NE Cordon (avg)

-5%

-5%

Peak Auto Trips to/from S. Corridor (avg)

-10%

-4%

up to 20%

-20%

Improvement in Transit Speeds up to 15%

-3%Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled (San Francisco) -4%

Southern Gateway (AM/PM)

Net Operating Revenue*


*Values in 2009$ for single representative year

Public Workshop Series (local and regional):

4 rounds of public workshops

Community Groups and Organizations, including:

BOMA Committees

Chinatown Community Development Corporation

Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association

KQED: Forum

Marina Community Association

Market Street Association

Rincon Point/South Beach Citizens Advisory Committee

SF Chamber of Commerce, incl Public Policy Forum

SF Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services (MONS)

SF Policy and Urban Planning Association (SPUR)

SF Small Business Commission

Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG)

Sunset District Neighborhood Coalition (SDNC)

Regional Transportation Justice Working Group

Transportation and Land Use Coalition (now TransForm)

Union Square Association

Western SOMA Task Force

Yerba Buena Alliance

Business Focus Groups:Commercial TransportationRetailRestaurantTourism & Hospitality

Advisory Committees:Business Advisory Council Policy Working GroupTechnical Advisory Committee Stakeholder Task Force

Overall Study Outreach


Study Outreach – Round 4Events

Public WorkshopsWebinarsElectronic Town Hall MeetingsPresentations at community/ neighborhood and business meetings

New ToolsSocial Media (Facebook, Twitter)

- www.facebook.com/sfmobility- twitter/SanFranciscoTA

Feedback on the new tools:“a valuable tool to provide information to people unable to attend meetings in person”

www.sfcta.org/sfmobility | twitter.com/SanFranciscoTA | www.facebook.com/sfmobility 14

Top benefits expected from a potential congestion pricing program:

40%

24%15%

20%

2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Less Cong. TransitSpeed/Freq

Non‐Mot Env./QoL Disagree

Reduce auto congestion/travel timeImprove transit speeds, frequency, and reliabilityImprove bicycling/walking downtownImprove the environment/ quality of lifePrefer another solution, disagree

www.sfcta.org/sfmobility | twitter.com/SanFranciscoTA | www.facebook.com/sfmobility 15

Source: SFCTA, Summary of Feedback, Fall 2010

Top concerns about a potential charging program:

16

33%

18% 21%17%

11%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Transit Options Affordability Govt Skepticism Econ impacts Won't work

Availability of travel optionsAffordability, including for low‐income travelersSkepticism about government’s role in providing congestion/mobility improvementsEconomic/ business impactsNot sure it will be effective, prefer another solution



Institutional considerations & milestonesObtain Legislative Authority to toll

Local ordinance (BoS)State authority (legislature, governor)Environmental analysis (local/federal approval)

Designate/create toll authority/agency, functions to include:

Set toll and discount policyBonding to deliver improvements up frontConcession with a program operator Directly produce or contract for services/capital improvementsMonitor performance, change fee level/investment program as appropriate

Governance

MOAs with MTC/BATA, transit operatorsJoint Powers Authority, e.g. ACCMA/VTA Express lanes


December 14, 2010 Board Presentation of draft Study Report

Fall 2010 - 2011 Implement and evaluate SFpark (SFMTA) and other near-term projects:

More data to better characterize and track parking benefits & impacts: supply, demand, turnoverTrack congestion reduction benefits & impacts

Coordinate w/San Francisco Transportation Plan

2011 - 2013 Environmental analysis, system design*Legislative Authorization* Coordination with SF Transportation Plan Update

2013 - 2014 Final Design & Procurement

2014 - 2015 Construction of system & capital improvementsAdditional transit services

2015 Potential Implementation

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Potential Timeline

IMPLEMENTATION DECISION


*Pending Transportation Authority Board Decision

14%

46%

11% 12%16%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Permanent Pilot Modify Not Sure Something Else

What is your opinion about a potential congestion pricing project for San Francisco (in the next 3-5 years)?

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I support implementing a permanent programI prefer taking a pilot approachI could support congestion pricing with modificationsI’m not sure yet/ undecided/ need more informationI prefer another solution



First agenda item (#13)Considers action to:

Approve the Study Reportcongestion pricing is technically feasiblecould contribute to goals for mobility improvement, sustainable growth and reduced impacts on climate changepublic opinion on the concept is fairly evenly split, with support for further evaluation

Action would not:

trigger implementation or additional phase of study

appropriate funds for further analysis


Second agenda item (#14)Considers action to:

Advance further study through environmental analysis, includingmore detailed economic evaluationexpenditure plan for investmentsimplementation plan for improvementsanalysis tools for parking alternatives (& coordination w/SFpark)additional outreach

Pursue funds to conduct next phase of analysis

Action would not:trigger implementation

support a particular scenario

appropriate funds for analysis


www.GearyBRT.org 22

QUESTIONS/FEEDBACK:

www.sfmobility.com

www.facebook.com/sfmobility

[email protected]

twitter/SanFranciscoTA

415.522.4800

San Francisco Mobility Access and Pricing Study: Study Findings and Public Feedback

Documents

congestion pricing feasible

downtown sf

study congestion pricing

orgsfmobility twitter

treasure island view

context of city goals

sf planning departmentview

livable city