Washington DC Commuter Ferry Service

Washington, DC Commuter Ferry Service

January 2013

Noël P. Comeaux, AICP, PMPMaritime Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

Noël P. Comeaux, AICP, PMPMaritime Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

Ferries & Water TaxisFerries & Water Taxis

• Ferry:• Defined in 46 USC 2102(10b). • Normally runs between set points &

on set schedules.

• Water Taxi: • A small passenger vessel that can be used as a ferry or to final destination,

as directed by a passenger (or the someone hiring the vessel). • Normally, water taxis are not large and run routes that are not economical

for larger ferry operations.

Both fall under the legal definition of a passenger vessel or a small passenger vessel & require U.S. Coast Guard certification to carry 6 or more passengers for hire.

Prior StudiesPrior Studies

Ferry Boat Feasibility Study• Virginia Department of Transportation• April 2000

Potomac River Commuter Ferry Service Study & Route Proving Exercise• Prince William County• September 2009

Ferry Boat Feasibility Study• Virginia Department of Transportation• April 2000

Potomac River Commuter Ferry Service Study & Route Proving Exercise• Prince William County• September 2009

Existing Water Taxi Tourism Services

Potential Commuter Markets

Note: There is also a viable Washington National Airport-National Harbor/DC Market.Note: There is also a viable Washington National Airport-National Harbor/DC Market.

Potential Military / Homeland Security Markets

Existing Commuter MarketsExisting Commuter Markets

I-95 Corridor• Up to 300,000 AADT• Virginia Railway Express

20,000 Ridership Daily

I-495/Woodrow Wilson Bridge• Up to 200,000 AADT

Indian Head Highway• 25,000 AADT

Anacostia Freeway• 75,000 AADT

I-95 Corridor• Up to 300,000 AADT• Virginia Railway Express

20,000 Ridership Daily

I-495/Woodrow Wilson Bridge• Up to 200,000 AADT

Indian Head Highway• 25,000 AADT

Anacostia Freeway• 75,000 AADT

Better Solution?Better Solution?

Washington, DC Metro Area – #1 in Congestion• Urban Mobility Report, 2012

Walkability• Old Town Alexandria – Ferry to Work in DC• Southwest Waterfront Metro – short walk

Energy• Liquefied Natural Gas – less emissions

Transit Oriented Development• Prince William County - Occoquan

Eligible for Commuter Benefits• Commuter ferry services are eligible for Federal benefits up to $125

monthly Emergency Evacuation

• There is existing waterside infrastructure.• Public vessel capacity may be an issue.

Washington, DC Metro Area – #1 in Congestion• Urban Mobility Report, 2012

Walkability• Old Town Alexandria – Ferry to Work in DC• Southwest Waterfront Metro – short walk

Energy• Liquefied Natural Gas – less emissions

Transit Oriented Development• Prince William County - Occoquan

Eligible for Commuter Benefits• Commuter ferry services are eligible for Federal benefits up to $125

monthly Emergency Evacuation

• There is existing waterside infrastructure.• Public vessel capacity may be an issue.

Government SupportGovernment Support

Ferry Stakeholder Committee• Stakeholder Board

US Coast Guard• Permitting/Vessel Certification (Safety

Inspection)• Channel Buoy Maintenance

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration• Navigation Charts

Ferry Stakeholder Committee• Stakeholder Board

US Coast Guard• Permitting/Vessel Certification (Safety

Inspection)• Channel Buoy Maintenance

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration• Navigation Charts

Departmental SupportDepartmental Support

Maritime Administration• Stakeholder Board• Marine Highway Corridor Recommendation

M-495 Connector

Federal Highway Administration• Ferry Grant Program

Federal Transit Administration• Stakeholder Board

Maritime Administration• Stakeholder Board• Marine Highway Corridor Recommendation

M-495 Connector

Federal Highway Administration• Ferry Grant Program

Federal Transit Administration• Stakeholder Board

Stakeholder CommitteeStakeholder Committee

Northern Virginia Regional Commission• Federal

Maritime Administration US Joint Forces Command – DC General Services Administration

• Maryland Highway Administration (Port)• Maryland

Tri-County for S. Maryland Prince Georges County Charles County Town of Indian Head National Harbor

Northern Virginia Regional Commission• Federal

Maritime Administration US Joint Forces Command – DC General Services Administration

• Maryland Highway Administration (Port)• Maryland

Tri-County for S. Maryland Prince Georges County Charles County Town of Indian Head National Harbor

Stakeholder Committee (Cont.)

Stakeholder Committee (Cont.)

Commonwealth of Virginia:• Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning & Investment• Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation• City of Alexandria• Fairfax County• Arlington County• Prince William County• Town of Quantico• Marine Corps Base Quantico• MWAA Airports Authority

Commonwealth of Virginia:• Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning & Investment• Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation• City of Alexandria• Fairfax County• Arlington County• Prince William County• Town of Quantico• Marine Corps Base Quantico• MWAA Airports Authority

Ridership StudyRidership Study

Purposes:• “…for a regional high-speed commuter ferry service

between selected origin and destination locations on the Occoquan, Potomac, and Anacostia Rivers.”

• “…regarding the future of commuter ferry passenger transportation in the National Capital Region (NCR),…. …especially in light of the military market encompassing the

BRAC adjustments.”

• “Commuter ferry service is intended to supplement, not compete with, existing transit services, including Virginia Railway Express (VRE), METRO and local and long-distance commuter bus service.”

Purposes:• “…for a regional high-speed commuter ferry service

between selected origin and destination locations on the Occoquan, Potomac, and Anacostia Rivers.”

• “…regarding the future of commuter ferry passenger transportation in the National Capital Region (NCR),…. …especially in light of the military market encompassing the

BRAC adjustments.”

• “Commuter ferry service is intended to supplement, not compete with, existing transit services, including Virginia Railway Express (VRE), METRO and local and long-distance commuter bus service.”

Ridership Study (Cont.)Ridership Study (Cont.)

Scope of Work (Tasks):1. Stakeholder Outreach

Statistically-significant survey to gauge the interests and concerns of key stakeholders

Stakeholder Meetings

2. Develop Criteria & Methodology for Selection of Sites

3. Market Analysis to Determine Demand for Service

4. Preliminary Service Model5. Submit Draft and Final Reports/Presentations

Scope of Work (Tasks):1. Stakeholder Outreach

Statistically-significant survey to gauge the interests and concerns of key stakeholders

Stakeholder Meetings

2. Develop Criteria & Methodology for Selection of Sites

3. Market Analysis to Determine Demand for Service

4. Preliminary Service Model5. Submit Draft and Final Reports/Presentations

Impediments & SolutionsImpediments & Solutions Impediments

• Fuel Access: Liquefied Natural Gas

• Navigation: 1980s laws DC is not a commercial port DC - No Wake Zone

• Transit Connection: Bus Services Metrorail connection

• Competing North-South Drive Time

• Dredging: Reagan Airport Ft. Belvoir Pentagon

• Funding

Impediments• Fuel Access:

Liquefied Natural Gas• Navigation:

1980s laws DC is not a commercial port DC - No Wake Zone

• Transit Connection: Bus Services Metrorail connection

• Competing North-South Drive Time

• Dredging: Reagan Airport Ft. Belvoir Pentagon

• Funding

Solutions• Fuel Access:

Immediate Solution - Clean Diesel?• Navigation:

Wake Waiver Wave attenuators New Low-Wake Boat

10” @ 100’ from boat• Sea trials starting soon

• Transit Connection: Metrorail/bus – next train Private Phone Apps – next ferry

• More Congestion!• I-95 / VRE

• Cost Built into Service Agreement

• Less Expensive than Additional Lane-Miles (New / To Maintain)

• 2013: >$14.5 million / lane-mile

Solutions• Fuel Access:

Immediate Solution - Clean Diesel?• Navigation:

Wake Waiver Wave attenuators New Low-Wake Boat

10” @ 100’ from boat• Sea trials starting soon

• Transit Connection: Metrorail/bus – next train Private Phone Apps – next ferry

• More Congestion!• I-95 / VRE

• Cost Built into Service Agreement

• Less Expensive than Additional Lane-Miles (New / To Maintain)

• 2013: >$14.5 million / lane-mile

More Impediments & Solutions

More Impediments & Solutions

Impediments• Much of the shoreline in

control of Military/DOD or Dept. of Interior, National Parks, and private hands. Makes development of waterfront

infrastructure very difficult and limited to few locations along the river.

• Current predominant development pattern ignores the waterfront. There are exceptions, but

significant density of residents and jobs immediately adjacent to the water is limited.

Impediments• Much of the shoreline in

control of Military/DOD or Dept. of Interior, National Parks, and private hands. Makes development of waterfront

infrastructure very difficult and limited to few locations along the river.

• Current predominant development pattern ignores the waterfront. There are exceptions, but

significant density of residents and jobs immediately adjacent to the water is limited.

Solutions• Cooperation:

• Where facilities make sense

• Beginning to change, but only time and rediscovery of the waterfront will tell.

• National Harbor, The Wharf, and The Yards

Solutions• Cooperation:

• Where facilities make sense

• Beginning to change, but only time and rediscovery of the waterfront will tell.

• National Harbor, The Wharf, and The Yards

Marine Highway ProgramMarine Highway Program

Energy Independence and Security Act, 2007• Reduce congestion, lower emissions, less energy…

US Coast Guard Authorization (112th

Congress, H.R. 2838) • To expand the program from congested corridors

to promoting short sea shipping Freight and passenger

Hence, Revised Final Rule in 2013• Stemming from H.R. 2838• Expected timeframe: Winter 2013

Energy Independence and Security Act, 2007• Reduce congestion, lower emissions, less energy…

US Coast Guard Authorization (112th

Congress, H.R. 2838) • To expand the program from congested corridors

to promoting short sea shipping Freight and passenger

Hence, Revised Final Rule in 2013• Stemming from H.R. 2838• Expected timeframe: Winter 2013

Your Departmental SupportYour Departmental Support

Maritime Administration• Noël P. Comeaux, AICP, PMP

202-366-5527

• Seneca Sok 202-366-6639

Federal Highway Administration• Tony DeSimone

317-226-5307

Federal Transit Administration• Jeffrey Spencer

202-366-0550

• Charlene Wilder 202-366-1077

Maritime Administration• Noël P. Comeaux, AICP, PMP

202-366-5527

• Seneca Sok 202-366-6639

Federal Highway Administration• Tony DeSimone

317-226-5307

Federal Transit Administration• Jeffrey Spencer

202-366-0550

• Charlene Wilder 202-366-1077