Bus Connectivity between Venice and Surrounding Westside Communities and the Expo Line Introduction/Problem
Study Area Bus Routes and Expo Stations
Preliminary Findings
Phase 2 of the Metro Expo Line is expected to begin service in 2015. Daily ridership is projected to be 36,412 for the Phase 2 portion and 63,998 for the entire line by 2030. A substantial number of riders are expected for each station; the average number of riders for each Phase 2 station is 2,528. However, there is very little (if any) parkand-ride infrastructure available at these new stations. The number of parking spaces ranges from 0 to 260 for Phase 2 stations. Thus, bus transit will a main access mode for people outside of bicycling and walking distance.
• No significant differences between more direct eastern bus routes or indirect northern bus routes to take Expo east. • For Windward Circle, eastern route holds very slight advantage. • For Centinela/Venice, Centinela/Washington, and Centinela/ Culver, northern route holds slight advantage.
Our goal is to understand how people in Venice and nearby Westside areas will use local transit at the start of full Expo Line service. People can either take the bus north to Expo then east or take the bus east to Expo and continue eastward. Which path has better service for people’s needs? Which makes more sense?
Methodology The following formula was used to compare trip times (in minutes) among path options for trips going east past Culver City Station: (0.5 x bus headway) + (bus travel time) + (1.5 x bus-to-rail transfer walk time) + (0.5 x rail headway) + (rail travel time)
• For Lincoln/Venice and Lincoln/Washington, eastbound trip saves a little over 10 minutes.
Minimum Trip Times East Past Culver City Station Origin Windward Circle Lincoln & Venice Centinela & Venice Centinela & Washington Centinela & Culver Lincoln & Washington
Fastest Northbound Route 47:15 50:45 33:45 36:15 39:00 53:00
Fastest Eastbound Route 46:30 40:30 34:30 37:00 43:00 42:45
Station Boardings vs. Parking Spaces Notes: Bus travel time was interpolated from real timepoint travel data. Rail travel time includes travel time, crossing delays, and station dwell times. Transfer walk time includes a 1.5x transfer penalty.
Station National / Palms Expo / Westwood Expo / Sepulveda Expo / Bundy Olympic / 26th Colorado / 17th Colorado / 4th
Boardings 1,395 3,992 3,814 2,122 1,615 2,505 2,256
Park and Ride Spaces 0 170 260 250 0 70 0
Next Steps • Examine Other origin points near Venice and Westside and destination points further east along Expo Line. • Modify transfer penalties for bus-to-rail transfers based on PEQI rating of pedestrian infrastructure along paths. • Examine AM Peak home-to-work trips coming into Venice and the Westside and PM Peak work-to-home trips leaving Venice and the Westside. • Examine other variables such as bus reliability.
MICHAEL SAHIMI CLIENT: CITY OF SANTA MONICA BIG BLUE BUS FACULTY ADVISOR: BRIAN TAYLOR