Agenda - 05-01-2012 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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21 Orange County Staff research from recent FTA publications agrees with conclusions drawn therein that BRT-H with all of the amenities of LRT offer comparable benefit and experience and accordingly offers a higher ranking than URS. ** Ability to Influence/Economic Development and TOD LRT— High Performing BRT— high High Performing ** Orange County staff believes investment and implementation can be faster, as permanent and less speculative than LRT especially when LRT could take 15 years to analyze and put into operation. Capacity LRT— High Performing BRT— high High Performing Operating Costs LRT— > 2000-2500 Passengers per peak hour LRT may have cost efficiencies BRT— high < 2500 BRT is less BRT Cost savings with 800 PAX/HR of approximately 20% The Durham-Orange Corridor is projected to operate with BRT better operating efficiency levels. Environmental Air&Wetlands LRT— Medium Performing depending on source of electric which is coal at this time BRT— high Medium Performing however most BRT new orders are hybrid electric BRT can be routed to be less invasive to off corridor (right-of-way) environmental areas. Summary FTA 2009 publications (see link: http://www.nbrti.org/CBRT.html) note and Orange County staff agrees that a community should match the technology with the need based on land use and the ability to financially build and maintain. BRT-High is such a system that is complementary to these precepts in the BRT ability to remain flexible to changing conditions and locational needs including the exponential rate of green technologies. Although Orange County and the municipalities are expected to grow in population and jobs over the long term planning horizon (25t years), the estimates do not create high intensity skyscraper urban environments because of the limitations with other natural resources such as water and the costs of public services. (Attachment F) Additional Supporting Maps—(Attachments G. H, I, J) Resolution/Orange County Staff Recommendation — Attachment K is a draft resolution for the DCHC MPO Transportation Advisory Committee's consideration at its meeting tomorrow, February 8, 2012. Orange County staff is recommending changes, as shown in red, "tracked changes" format. FINANCIAL IMPACT: This action, although not the approval of a financial plan or 'h cent referendum, begins a process outlining a potential financial commitment by local (Durham and Orange Counties) state and federal governments of$1.4 billion and an ongoing Y2 cent sales tax commitment from Orange County residents.