Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
13 <br /> • Durham & Orange counties have been investing in transit at a higher level for a long <br /> period of time, and have built a large transit market responding to their compact growth <br /> choices and job centers <br /> • Wake County is investing to catch up to Durham-Orange, using a plan and <br /> technologies that complements their more suburban growth choices <br /> • Different transit technology choices can match transit markets in the different counties, <br /> and still become a fully integrated system <br /> Commissioner Price asked if the riders' destination could be identified. <br /> Patrick McDonough said riders are moving within the corridor among the various zones. <br /> He said the 3D map shows the intensity of the trips. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if the conclusion is that bus riders would rather get on the <br /> train. <br /> Patrick McDonough said in areas of high bus ridership, the addition of higher capacity <br /> transit draws riders to it, and in greater numbers. <br /> LRT and BRT rarely provide a similar type of service. <br /> "BRT" is a term used for many things. <br /> Travel Speeds of Light Rail and BRT in the USA, Projects Built or Added to Since 2000 <br /> (hand out) <br /> Why is speed important? <br /> In a large, continuing study of upward mobility based at Harvard, commuting time has emerged <br /> as the single strongest factor in the odds of escaping poverty. The longer an average commute <br /> in a given county, the worse the chances of low-income families there moving up the ladder."— <br /> "Transportation Emerges as Crucial to Escaping Poverty," New York Times, May 7, 2015 <br /> Operating Costs of Bus & Light Rail (graph) <br /> Economic Development & Rail (graph) <br /> Projected Economic Impact of D-O LRT <br /> • Add $4.7 Billion in economic output in Durham and Orange Counties each year <br /> • Add $600 Million in additional economic impact statewide <br /> • Estimated 750 of direct construction related jobs, + over 1,000 indirect construction <br /> related jobs <br /> • Add $175 Million in new tax revenue (per year) due to economic impacts <br /> BRT and LRT both offer environmental benefits. <br /> LRT benefits demonstrate increasing efficiency with greater use, just like operating cost. <br /> Emissions of Transit Modes Per Passenger Mile-graph <br /> Emissions Benefits Facilitated By Compact, Focused Growth <br /> • More walking means fewer short vehicle trips, fewer cold starts trips <br /> • Each 1% of short-trip mileage reduced typically reduces air emissions by 2-3%. <br /> Mixed-Use Developments Reduce Traffic <br />