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7250 N. 16th Street, Suite 300 |
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Transit & Rail Planning |
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Client:
Gila
County Lima & Associates coordinated with the public and stakeholders to build a consensus on transportation needs and improvements. Socioeconomic, roadway, and transit conditions in the study area were evaluated, and deficiencies and needs were identified. Environmental Justice population data (elderly, below poverty level, disabled, and minority subgroups) was tabulated and spatially displayed on GIS maps. County transportation plans were then prepared for short-, mid-, and long-ranges while a countywide sketch planning model was developed in TransCAD for forecasting future traffic volumes, analyzing roadway deficiencies, and evaluating alternative improvements. A transit element was also developed to define opportunities and implementation actions for transit as a future alternative mode. An implementation program was then developed for roadway and transit projects that included actions, priorities, responsibilities, costs, and schedule. Finally, strategies to fund future transportation projects were identified. The consultant additionally conducted a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility of operating a rail passenger or excursion service. Likely operating costs were estimated, potential market niches identified, and recommendations for appropriate motive power and equipment made based on “best practices” of peer operations.
Client:
Lima
& Associates participated in the validation and reassessment
of the Phoenix-Tucson High Speed Rail Passenger Study that had been conducted
for the Arizona Department of Transportation in 1998. In Phase I of the
project, the firm made use of our considerable knowledge of Arizona railroads
and of the planning and operation of rail passenger service, together
with the body of work completed by Lima for the 2006 Statewide Railroad
Inventory and Assessment. The elements of the 1998 Study that were reevaluated
by Lima & Associates included the options for routing, schedules,
and station locations. The methodology used to develop ridership estimates
in 1998 was assessed, together with intervening changes in Phoenix-Tucson
corridor traffic. The significance of corridor population growth rates
that have been greater than was forecasted in 1998, especially in Pinal
County, was explained. In Phase II, Lima & Associates performed a planning-level analysis of Environmental Justice issues, using data from the 2000 Census. Lima evaluated four corridor segments from Phoenix to Tucson with respect to five population groups, with the width of the corridor being one-half mile on each side of the centerline of the existing rail line. Maps were prepared for analysis and to identify potential key areas in the corridor regarding Environmental Justice considerations for the following Title VI populations: minority population, population aged 65 and older, population below the poverty level, mobility-limited population, and households without automobiles.
Commuter
Rail Strategic Planning Client:
Lima
& Associates participated in the development
of a Commuter Rail Strategic Plan for the metropolitan Phoenix area, making
use of our extensive knowledge of passenger rail planning and operations
as well as the body of work developed for the 2006 Statewide Railroad
Inventory and Assessment. During that inventory process, Lima participated
in a comprehensive field view of potential commuter rail corridors in
the Phoenix area. For this study, Lima developed route maps for each of
the candidate corridors using the firm’s knowledge together with graphics
and data obtained from railroad track charts and employee timetables.
The firm participated in the development of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis methodology and assisted in the conduct
of a Stakeholder Workshop in which the SWOT Analysis procedure was carried
out. Lima & Associates participated in the development of planning
level operating scenarios for each of the corridors including the choice
of equipment, station locations, and scheduling, the identification of
needed improvements to track and other infrastructure, and the provision
of railcar maintenance, passenger parking, and other facilities. |
