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Transit
Concept Selected
for I-285
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On February 26, 2004 the Atlanta Regional Commission Board selected a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the northern portion of the I-285 corridor. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) concept was the result of the I-285 Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis and much input from citizens and local governments. The selection of BRT as the preferred alternative allows regional planners to proceed with more detailed environmental and design work, while officials consider funding strategies and regional priorities.
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Study
Area Map & Project Alignment
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Recommended Transit Corridor
The recommended transit corridor is approximately 12 miles in length, generally following I-285, with 10 designated transit stations. The preliminary alignment runs from Cumberland/Galleria on the west, through the central Perimeter area, and terminates at the Doraville MARTA station to the east. In the central Perimeter area the BRT follows Hammond Drive, and elsewhere along the corridor the BRT facility will run adjacent to I-285.
Bus Rapid Transit
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), also called "rapid bus" and "flex trolley", is a modern concept that combines the best characteristics of rail with the flexibility of rubber-tired vehicles. BRT systems are gaining in popularity throughout the world, and especially in the U.S. BRT systems are currently operating or under development in Denver, Pittsburgh, Miami, Ottawa and many other cities.
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Locally
Preferred Alternative Typical Section
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BRT is similar to rail by providing passenger stations and allowing for rapid boarding and fast operating speeds. BRT can operate in exclusive transit-ways or dedicated lanes, but can also operate in HOV lanes or mixed traffic as necessary. In the case of I-285, the busses will operate in an exclusive transit-way along most of the corridor. In certain areas, the BRT may operate in dedicated lanes along existing streets such as Akers Mill Road and Hammond Drive.
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BRT
in separate guideway
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BRT
in exclusive lane
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Project
Benefits
The I-285 busway provides important benefits along the corridor and throughout
the Atlanta region. The project will serve an estimated 67,000 person
trips each day, including attracting approximately 40,000 NEW trips from
auto travel, thereby providing obvious mobility benefits to the area by
reducing the burden on existing roadways. The flexible BRT system provides
a cost effective transportation solution, with total system costs being
only a fraction of rail transit costs.
In addition, the project complements existing and future development by providing a practical travel solution that is not entirely dependant on roadways and additional parking. Finally, the project provides an important regional connection between the Doraville and Dunwoody MARTA stations, the Northwest Transit Corridor being developed along I-75 in Cobb County, and express bus service already operating in the region.
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Alternative
Selection Process
Leading up to the selection of the LPA, several tasks were undertaken
to provide both quantitative and qualitative tools for evaluating alternatives.
These include detailed technical analyses, conduct of corridor-specific
focus groups, public input meetings and interviews with local authorities,
and a quantitative evaluation of alternatives. In addition, the project's
technical and policy committees collaborated in the process to ensure
consideration of the wide range of local and regional transportation issues.
Additional information including detailed technical reports are available
through the Atlanta Regional Commission and on the I-285 Transit Corridor
web site: www.atlantaregional.com/i285transit. All reports are available
on the downloads page.
Next Steps
Project planners are working to coordinate this project with other planned
projects and developments in the area. In particular, roadway improvements
being planned or designed by the Georgia Department of Transportation,
Cobb County, Fulton County and DeKalb County must be taken into consideration
so that the resulting transportation system will operate seamlessly and
efficiently for all travel modes.
In
addition, planners are working with State and local officials to consider
implementation strategies including project ownership, funding agreements,
maintenance agreements, and priority with other regional initiatives.
Throughout 2004, the Atlanta Regional Commission will continue to work
with the following planning partners to establish project implementation
strategies and regional priorities: Federal Highway Administration, Federal
Transit Administration, Georgia Department of Transportation, Metropolitan
Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Georgia Regional Transit Authority, Cobb,
Fulton and DeKalb Counties and others.
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For
more information, please contact the I-285 Project Team at: Atlanta
Regional Commission
40
Courtland Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 e-mail:
i285transit@atlantaregional.com Phone Number: (404)463-3306
