DART ORANGE LINE EXPANSION
LRT Line to Irving/DFW
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STATION LOCATION AND EVALUATION PROCESS
Evaluation Method
DART recently conducted a Station Evaluation process as part of the Northwest Corridor to Irving/DFW Project. A set of 20 criteria in four impact-related categories were evaluated for each station location individually. Using these criteria, each potential station was graded on a five-point system -- with five being high -- for a total possible rating of 100 points for each station. The numeric impact ranking descriptions are as follows:
- Significantly negative
- Moderately negative
- Neutral
- Moderately positive
- Significantly positive
There were four primary impact evaluation criteria categories: Alignment, Station/Program, Environmental and Real Estate. Some examples of these breakdown criteria are ratings given for: greater ridership potential, station geometric requirements, station spacing, local traffic impacts, parking / bus access, pedestrian / bicycle accessibility, neighborhood compatibility, displacement of businesses and residents, and influence on economic development. The overall goal is to maximize a light rail station's potential, where DART's rail station presence can make a positive impact on the immediate adjoining community and to the region at large.
Based on the station location analysis, DART staff is recommending the initial implementation of six LRT Stations with two stations being deferred. (See Recommended Stations section.)
Station Ridership
One of the key components of the station evaluation process is determining the number of patrons that will board and depart from LRT trains on a daily basis and which stations they will use. DART staff, in cooperation with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), has worked over the past several months to make this determination. Using population and employment projections for the year 2030, ridership forecasts have been developed for various station combination options with and without parking. Additionally, connectivity to other modes of transportation such as buses, regional commuter rail and the Las Colinas APT System was considered.
Using NCTCOG's computer model, ridership forecasts were developed for various operating scenarios and the results were compared. This analysis was instrumental in identifying staff-recommended station location alternatives and implementation schedule.
The following graph illustrates ridership at the recommended stations. Ridership analysis will continue to be refined during the environmental phase of the project. Additionally, DART will conduct sensitivity tests to determine when deferred stations should be implemented.
Recommended Stations
The six station locations recommended for initial implementation are: University of Dallas, Lake Carolyn, North Las Colinas (two options), Carpenter Ranch, North Lake College, and Belt Line Road. The ultimate selection of the North Las Colinas Station is dependant on TxDOT’s redesign of Spur 348 (Northwest Highway). Both options will be advanced through the environmental analysis phase of the project. DART staff recommends that the Loop 12 and South Las Colinas Stations be deferred until warranted by development or implementation of commuter rail that would interface with the South Las Colinas Station. The recommended stations are shown in the figure below.
A summary of the evaluation of the recommended stations is contained in this newsletter. The complete station location analysis and evaluation summary can be reviewed on the DART website at: http://www.DART.org/nwdfwcorridor.asp.
The recommended stations will serve distinct purposes within the Northwest Corridor to Irving/DFW Line. The University of Dallas Station is a No Parking station that will serve the campus and potentially the George W. Bush Presidential Library. The No Parking Lake Carolyn Station will provide an interface to the Las Colinas APT. The North Las Colinas Station will serve as a park and ride lot, and provide linkages to many bus routes. The Carpenter Ranch Station will serve future and existing development to the west of the urban center and may provide limited parking. The North Lake College Station -- with parking -- will serve commuters as well as students. The Belt Line Station will serve as a temporary terminus until the line is extended into DFW Airport.
The future Loop 12 Station would be implemented in conjunction with a master plan for the Texas Stadium/Central Freight site. The future South Las Colinas Station could serve as an interface between LRT, APT and Commuter Rail. The foundations for both deferred stations would be constructed with the initial project so that they could be implemented when warranted without disruption to service.
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Progress has been made on preparing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Irving/DFW light rail line project. Environmental documentation began with the Scoping process, and was published in the Federal Register the official Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS for the project on May 11, 2005.
Between March and July 2005, DART also conducted two public and one agency Scoping meetings on the project. A Scoping Information Report was prepared and made available at these meetings. The main goal of Scoping is to encourage active participation by interested individuals, groups, and agencies early in the decision-making process. Scoping occurs over time rather than at any one event or meeting. It provides an opportunity for the public to receive information and provide input ongoing throughout the project. DART and its consultant staff heard comments on a variety of project and environmental issues, including:
- Proceed with the LRT line project, and extend it to DFW Airport as soon as possible
- Access to the Medical Center is important for employees, students, and patients
- Stations in the Las Colinas Urban Center are important
- Connect to the Las Colinas APT system; bring APT, LRT, and commuter rail together at one place.
The Environmental Team conducted an inventory of existing conditions in the project corridor during August and September. This inventory included natural environment factors such as wetlands and vegetation, soils, air quality, and archaeology. Man-made factors such as land use, demographic characteristics, transportation and roadways, and cultural and historic resources were also included. This "snapshot" of conditions was documented in a Technical Memorandum prepared for DART and the Project Team in October.
The Environmental Team worked on the EIS during November and December. In each of the natural and man-made environmental categories, the potential effects of the project on the corridor and its residents are being identified and described. The Environmental Team prepared an Impact Assessment Technical Memorandum in January for DART and the Project Team. This document will describe any environmental impacts and the possible mitigation measures that may be used to reduce them. For example, an area identified as having a noise impact might include design changes for special track bed and ties, or a noise barrier to reduce the impact.
The specific mitigation measures needed to reduce the impacts will be analyzed and assessed, then presented to the public during the review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The Project Team will begin to prepare the Draft EIS in early 2006. It is expected to be available for public review in mid-2006.
PUBLIC AND AGENCY INVOLVEMENT PROCESS
There has been a significant amount of public and agency involvement since publication of the last newsletter. In addition to the public and agency Scoping meetings referenced in the Environmental Documentation section, a Public Meeting was conducted in November 2005 to present the Station Evaluation Process and receive comments. The recommended locations for stations on the proposed Irving/DFW LRT Line — in the section on Recommended Stations in this newsletter — resulted from this meeting .
Several presentations have been made to groups and boards such as the Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District (DCURD), the Mandalay Place Homeowners Association, and the Irving Citizens Advisory Committee.
A special forum sponsored by North Lake College was held to discuss the proposed station to be located adjacent to the college campus.
DART staff and representatives have made regular briefings to agency staff, stakeholders, and transit riders throughout the service area, including the Irving Chamber's Transportation Committee, Leadership Irving, North Lake College, Dallas County Community College District Board of Directors, University of Dallas, DFW Airport, North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), Irving Arts District Neighborhood Association, TxDOT, as well as several private corporations, such as Verizon Communications and property owners/realtors, including Hines Interests and the Trammell Crow Company.
A Public Hearing will be held on the environmental impacts of the project after the Draft EIS is published and the public has had an opportunity to review the findings. This Public Hearing will also serve as an opportunity for further public comment on the LRT alignment, station locations, and grade separation requirements.
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