VRE SYSTEM PLAN WEBINAR October 9, 2013 Christine Hoeffner, VRE Foster Nichols, Parsons Brinckerhoff

Webinar Overview  Introduction of presenters  Format of webinar  Participant questions 2

SYSTEM PLAN OVERVIEW 3

4 What is a System Plan?  Re-set the vision for VRE’s future  Evaluate alternative future scenarios  Ridership growth  Capacity needs  Capital project requirements  Funding and partnership strategies  Develop decision-making framework

5 What is a System Plan?  The VRE System Plan will not  Be prescriptive  Develop fully-designed capital projects  Guarantee funding availability  Compel other entities to act  Be a regional transportation plan

VRE’S ROLE IN REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION 6

Sustained Ridership Growth Total Ridership has tripled since inception and doubled in last decade 7 System Total Fredericksburg Manassas 6,260 5,250 11,510 7,370 6,590 13,950 9,780 9,100 18, year trend: +8% per year

VRE Ridership Market Share  Fredericksburg Line to Core  Fredericksburg – Brooke >50%  Quantico – Woodbridge 10%-50%  Lorton <10%  Manassas Line to Core  Broad Run – Manassas Park 10%-50%  Burke Centre – Backlick Rd. <10% Future growth in VRE ridership will result from:  Population growth in the Outer Zone  Increased service in the Inner Zone Middle Zone Markets Inner Zone Markets Core Markets Outer Zone Markets 8

PROPOSED SYSTEM PLAN INITIATIVES 9

Group C Implement Regional Rail Service Concepts Group B Expand Service in Core VRE Territory Group A Maximize Service Within Existing Operating Capacity & Agreements Potential VRE Service Initiatives 10

11 Definitions  “Group”  A set of “initiatives” that share similar characteristics and level of complexity  The differences among groups are not entirely hard and fast  The System Plan is likely to combine ideas from all three groups  “Initiative”  A VRE service concept  Composed of a set of capital projects that enable the service  May require changes to railroad operating agreements or other agreements  “Project”  The building block of initiatives, such as additional track, station parking or train storage capacity

 8 car trains (ultimately 10 cars)  Increase size of fleet  Increase station and yard capacity Group A: Longer Trains 12 Mid-Week PM Peak Passenger Loads and Seating Capacity by Train, 2013 Fredericksburg Line Manassas Line Passengers at Peak  Capacity with Train Lengthened to 10 cars

13 Group A: Additional Peak Trains 2 Available 2 16 VRE Daily train slots per MOU: VRE Manassas Trains VRE Fredericksburg Trains Virginia Intercity Trains Available Unused Slots  Limited opportunities to grow  Cap on daily trains  Constrained train storage  1-2 additional round trips on each line  Relieve overcrowding on existing trains 2 14 VRE

14 Group A Initiatives  Potential core system expansion projects  Additional station parking  Station access improvements  Longer station platforms  Additional rolling stock  Increased train storage capacity

Group B: Increase Peak Period VRE Service  More weekday peak trains (AM inbound, PM outbound)  Service options  20 minute headways  Outer zone express service  Expand peak service windows 15

Haymarket Gainesville Sudley Manor 16 Group B: Gainesville-Haymarket Extension  Within existing VRE service area  Provides I-66 congestion relief  Potential multi-modal hubs and reverse commute opportunities

Group B: Reverse Commute Service  New travel market for VRE  Smaller market but locally significant  More efficient use of trains and DC mid-day storage  Requires additional system capacity  Operating slots  Additional track  Second platforms at stations 17

Group B: Off-Peak Service  Mid-day, Evening, and/or Weekends  Provides flexible travel for commuters and others  Taps additional markets  Requirements similar to Reverse-Commute service 18

Group B: All-Day Bi-Directional Service  Maximizes VRE ridership potential  Supports efficient operations  Provides regional transportation benefits  “Whole is greater than the sum of the parts” 19 M M M M M

20 Group B Initiatives  Additional core system investments beyond Group A  Second platforms at VRE stations  Railroad infrastructure to support bi-directional passenger operations  Long Bridge/Alexandria to DC rail corridor  Additional triple-tracking on Fredericksburg Line  Manassas-Haymarket rail line capacity

Group C: Regional Rail Concepts  VRE run through to MARC Camden and Brunswick Lines  Service to Silver Spring, Rockville, College Park, Savage (Ft. Meade) and Baltimore  Potential mid-day storage opportunities 21

Group C: Regional Rail Concepts  MARC run through to Alexandria  Significant travel market  MARC trains supplement or replace VRE service  Requires station and yard improvements in Virginia 22

Group C: Regional Rail Concepts  Combined VRE & MARC run through service  Reverse-commute service as Initial Step  Ultimate Potential  Fully-integrated regional rail network  Frequent service between Union Station and Alexandria 23

24 Package C Initiatives  Basic capital needs similar to Group B  Rolling Stock and Station Platforms  Initial step can use existing VRE and MARC fleets  Ultimate potential realized with a uniform fleet  Station platform considerations for ADA compliance  Washington Union Terminal  Run through service reduces train storage needs  Investment to increase capacity for through service (TBD)  Expanded operating agreements

NEXT STEPS 25

Next Steps  Analysis of Improvement Initiatives  Ridership market impact  Capital cost and incremental operating costs  Benefits and implementation considerations  Adoption by VRE Operations Board – December 2013  Priority projects included in VRE annual budget and CIP  Ongoing stakeholder and interagency outreach 26

QUESTIONS 27

Thank You!  Additional information about the System Plan  Submit questions about the System Plan 28