The Future of Transit Center Design

The Future of Transit Center Design

Categories: Alternative Fuels & CNG, Public Transportation

When asked to write on the future of terminal design, I found the challenge daunting as well as thought provoking. When I am designing, my goal is to design a building that is both functional for and attractive to future generations. To design a building whose function must adapt to a rapidly evolving world, designed with new, smarter technology is even more challenging. A transit center must adapt to an evolving population of travelers, the vehicles that transport them, new fuels, maintenance needs, real-time communication technologies, geographic impacts and more.
I reached out to several transit design experts on my staff and here is what I heard:

What are the biggest challenges in designing a facility?

When designing a transit facility our goal is to design a building that can physically last for 50 years before needing major renovations.  However, anticipating the potential program changes in transit vehicles
and user requirements is a significant challenge for the designer. With the rate of technological advancement, designing 50 years in the future is an almost impossible task.

In addition to technological changes, it is also important to understand that transit riders now want a very personalized experience. Two examples of which are the Heathrow Pod and Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). These driverless vehicles provide an intimate mode of transportation. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is also changing the look of transit, leading to smaller but more frequent transit stations providing a faster, more frequent service for the rider.

These alternate modes of transit are differentiated from the typical fixed route bus system that is currently determining transit facilities. Trying to provide flexibility for all the new future modes will prove to be the biggest challenge in the future. Provided by: Sean Beachy, architect

What design considerations do you find exciting to contemplate?

The design of a future intermodal facility is less about the passenger waiting and more about the passenger experience. I think you will see these facilities become more like an airport with shops, retail, restaurants – places that people want to use as well as it being a multimodal center.

The large, static passenger waiting areas of the past do not serve people well – it needs to be active, vibrant, and useful while still providing waiting areas for transit users.
For example, colleges would not have just a transfer station; it would be a transfer station, a student union, a coffee shop and more.

In the deep inner cities, the station could house government functions providing social services. Provided by: Ron Reekes, southeast regional manager

Transportation Center Design

From an architecture standpoint, the look of the transfer station is what is going to draw in people. For people to choose to ride transit – there must be appeal – aesthetics, amenities, ease of use and helpful technologies. Safety, security, and atmosphere are incredibly important, but ultimately people have to know stops exist where they want to go. Provide by: Jeana Stright, architect

What is happening right now?

The future, in a word, is flexibility. Dealing with the next generation of vehicles and vehicle types. The intermodal facility of tomorrow will accommodate many more modes than we have right now. Intermodals of the future will need to facilitate other modes such as heavy, light and commuter rail, and even high-speed rail, while remaining pedestrian friendly, accommodating significant bicycle use, and rideshare  connectivity. Provided by: David Duchscherer, PE

How will new fueling options affect transit center design?

There is an accelerating trend for electricity to be the prime energy source. The impact on transportation terminals will be hubs for generator power (solar, wind, pavement motion, dynamic thermal change) for on-site consumption and for export to utilities. Potential exists to provide charging for large and small vehicles including fixedroute buses, paratransit vehicles, private cars, bikes and trikes, and commercial vehicles. Provided by: Phil Muse, architect
In addition to electric fueling, hybrid, CNG and ultimately hydrogen fueled buses will certainly factor into the mix. The variety of future fueling possibilities will require more flexibility and foresight in the design of transportation terminals to allow for a mix of fuel usage at the same terminal. Provided by: John Havrilla, director of alternative fueling services

What are some of the trends and technologies you see influencing the future of transit center design?

Generational and social trends will greatly influence the future of transit center design. One of the more intriguing current trends is how the millennial generation prefers to take transit because it is sustainable and elevates their quality of life by increasing their social interaction in person and through technology. Since each generation has its own unique characteristics and expectations, it will be interesting to see what future generations expect in the way of mobility and travel. Keeping in step with those expectations and desires will be key in designing future transit centers they will want to use.

So what does all this mean? The transit center of the future will be a living, social organism that will be technology-based and need to have ultimate flexibility as it grows, evolves, and morphs, much like people do. It will be expected to enhance our quality of life through sustainable principles as transportation systems and vehicles get us to where we need to go. The possibilities are exciting to contemplate.

Written for BusRide Magazine by:

Donald Gray, AIA, LEED AP

You can reach Don at dgray@wendelcompanies.com

Bus Rapid Transit Station Design

Categories: Public Transportation

How sound station design enhances the effectiveness of a BRT system

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a bus-based transit system that offers fast, reliable and frequent services. BRT uses dedicated lanes and stations with off-board fare collection to deliver quick and easily accessible operations. It often serves as a precursor to light rail, taking the place of express route buses. A major benefit to a BRT system is it is more affordable than light rail, yet delivers the same speed and efficiency of travel to users.

In a BRT corridor, the functionality of the system is significantly affected by the station design. A successful BRT project blends vehicles, the system and station design to achieve an elevated transportation experience – a premier service.

BRT Station in mixed-use area showing lane demarcation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluating a BRT system

The transit industry uses a point-based system to help evaluate BRTs, ensuring that these systems are delivering the same social, economic, and environmental benefits worldwide. Using this standard, BRT corridors are certified as basic BRT, bronze, silver or gold, all of which represent excellence in BRT and incorporate elements that make communities more livable, competitive and sustainable.

On the BRT Standard Scorecard, the category of BRT Basics is composed of five essential elements distinguishing it from most other transit options.

  1. Dedicated Right-of-Way
  2. Busway Alignment
  3. Off-board Fare Collection
  4. Intersection Treatments
  5. Platform-level Boarding

Other categories include Service Planning, Infrastructure, Stations, Communications, Access and Integration, and Point Deductions. All of these categories are examined and discussed at the onset of design for a BRT project. The unique characteristics of each BRT corridor and project will dictate which categories are pursued and which are taken off of the table. The size of the system, budget and project scope are dominant factors in this decision.

Make station design count

Station design is a defining element for a BRT system because it, along with the BRT vehicles establish the identity of the service. Station design should be considered an investment that will pay dividends in terms of program identity, rider loyalty, comfort, convenience, and safety.

Lighting and wayfinding enhance BRT experience and assure passenger safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) is a great example of a transit system willing to invest the effort and resources needed to improve travel in Richmond, VA through a new BRT system. The project is currently undergoing design, and spans one of the main corridors in Richmond proper.

Early in the design process, Richmond considered the option of designing different stations for each area of the City served by the BRT route. However, for a number of reasons, this idea was rejected. The principal reason was that it was important to GRTC for the stations to be identical so the BRT could be easily and consistently identified from any neighborhood by pedestrians approaching the stations and by riders of local bus routes making connections with the BRT system. All 26 stations designed for the GRTC BRT corridor incorporate a prominent truss or framework feature. The truss concept was developed with two thoughts in mind:

  1. Richmond is known as the “river city” and bridges are a huge part of  connecting the city from one side of the river to the other, emulated  in the truss design.
  2. It preserves as much open and free platform space as possible by placing the truss as the “back wall” of the station while fully supporting the roof.

Within a BRT corridor, there can be variations to the design of stations to accommodate the different site locations. This was the case in Richmond. While all of the stations look identical, they are a mix of median and curbside locations. Some locations allow for sidewalks behind the station. Other locations require walk-through stations and the varying elevations at each site were addressed to achieve platform level boarding.

The building materials selected for the station design pay homage to the City of Richmond. It is anticipated that the back wall of the station will be treated glass that will allow printing on the windscreen panels at each station. A large map of the BRT route will be printed on these glass panels to provide riders with information about the city and neighborhoods surrounding the stations. Steel will be used for the truss, as well as for the station name on the totem.

Find the right balance

The overall design of the station must first address the specific operational requirements of the BRT system. After that, the attention turns to the architecture and aesthetics that speak to the personality and unique qualities of the community it serves.  The winning combination is a matter of achieving a balance that seamlessly blends the architectural statement with the function of the structure.

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Written for BusRide Magazine by:

Ronald H. Reekes

You can reach Ron at rreekes@wendelcompanies.com

 

Alternative Fueling Facilities

Categories: Alternative Fuels & CNG, Public Transportation

Transit agencies transition from traditional diesel bus fleets to fleets powered by alternative fuels because these vehicles offer improved operational efficiencies, reductions in the carbon footprint, and a reduction in daily operating costs.

Not only are alternative fuel powered buses more efficient, their use improves the perception of bus transit in the cities and communities in which they operate. Today’s fully electric-powered vehicles save on fuel costs and emit no particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, or carbon dioxide. This makes them especially suitable for use in densely populated urban environments and are available in more weight-classes and applications than ever before. CNG buses also have proven successful in reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions. Compressed natural gas is one of the cleanest-burning alternative fuels available with near-zero emissions.

While most fleet operators understand the benefits of switching to alternative fuels, many operators are not experienced with the facility, site, and safety requirements necessary to fuel, store and maintain the new buses. Read on for some key considerations that will help as you plan the fueling and maintenance facilities for your new alternate power fleet.

Siting Your Fueling Facility

Here are a few things to consider when siting your fueling or charging station:

Common Fuel Considerations:

  • Service and maintenance requirements
  • Understand your current bus movements and how they could be impacted by vehicles needing alternative fuel
  • Planning for operational impacts
  • Option to fuel onsite and/or offsite
  • Public understanding of the proposed operations
  • Creating a partnership with local fire departments and emergency responders
  • Need for safety training

Additional CNG Considerations:

  • Need for adequate NG supply and pressure
  • Do you want/need to provide public fueling
  • Is indoor fueling a requirement
  • High rate of fill (Fast fill) vs low rate of fill (Time fill)
  • Regulations on defueling (Prior to maintenance)
  • Noise assessment (CNG Compressors, dryers)

Additional Electric Considerations:

  • Potential utility upgrades and demand charges
  • Noise assessments, electric generators
  • Remote charging stations and locations

A Public and Private Fueling Station

For a recent fueling station project for Metro Bus in St. Cloud, MN, the agency selected an initial outdoor location on the site close to the existing diesel fueling lanes for both the public and private fueling stations. The decision to include private and potential public fueling opportunities on a limited site footprint required the agency to conduct a thorough site review process.

Metro Bus private fueling looking NW

Sensing that the originally selected location could be problematic, an “immersion process” assessed the pros and cons of that location, additional options for site layout, and addressed engineering and life safety considerations. This process brought the stakeholders and end users together to voice their needs, concerns, and issues before the start of design. This process was extremely beneficial and convening this discussion right at the project site enabled the team to collect and discuss programming information in real time.

What Are the Options for Indoor Fueling?

Indoor fueling facilities are rare in the industry. The capital costs associated with the mitigation measures required to comply with current codes for compressed natural gas indoor fueling are high. While an advantage, especially in the harsh northern climates, the cost to retrofit facilities to meet current code levels can be prohibitive. Implementing an indoor fueling option on a new facility is much less costly, but it still carries a premium.

 

Aesthetics and Functionality

Worcester Regional Transit Authority Hub at Unation. Electric Bus Charging Station and Passenger Boardg Area.

Metro Bus chose a fueling station location that was the best fit for their current bus movement. The components of the project included a compressor island, public and private fast fill fueling stations, and a dramatic canopy facing the interstate. The canopy design provides a “billboard or front door sign” for the bus company and helps to advertise the public CNG fueling option.

Final Considerations

When considering an alternative fuel strategy keep in mind the potential impact of this decision in five major areas of your operation: 1) the vehicles, 2) the fueling infrastructure, 3) the maintenance facility requirements, 4) the operator, and 5) maintenance training required. A successful alternative fuel program should thoroughly evaluate and plan for each of these five components. All too often one or more of these components are overlooked and the impact to the overall program can be significant.

Planning Your Facility

In view of the fact that alternative fuels are here to stay, it is important that transit agencies and operators build on the lessons learned of other agencies and seek to gain a full understanding of the issues and benefits of incorporating alternative fuel vehicles into their fleets. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel as you can easily build on the experiences of other agencies and designers who have already tackled these problems.

 

Written for BusRide Magazine by:

John Havrilla, PE, Director of Alternative Fuel Services. Contributing Author: Philip D. Muse, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD,+C.

You can reach John at jhavrilla@wendelcompanies.com.

The Science and Art of Designing Successful Intermodal Transit Centers

Categories: Company News, Public Transportation

Fully integrated intermodal transit centers enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve by offering as many transportation modes as possible and spurring economic development and infrastructure growth. In order to achieve this goal, it is essential their design is an appropriate balance of Science and Art.

The Science

The science of an intermodal center is primarily the engineering and technical design and includes the following:

Pedestrian Safety and Walkability

Circulation patterns that minimize the number of times pedestrians cross vehicle paths.

Vehicle Type Separation

Provide separate ingress and egress points for each mode and vehicle type – local bus, intercity bus, shuttles, taxis, bicycles, Kiss and Ride, parking, and deliveries.

Vehicle Movements

Accurate horizontal (geometric) and vertical (grade) engineering so vehicles can maneuver through turns without backing up or “bottoming out” when entering or exiting the site. The use of computer design software accomplishes this during the design process. Laying out a full-size prototype with traffic cones and then driving a bus through the layout allows you to test the bus movement prior to construction.

 

 

 

(This is an example of using AutoTurn- the design software)

 

Traffic Control

Impacts to adjacent streets, roads and intersections is mitigated by separate ingress and egress points for each vehicle type, as well as appropriate traffic signage and signalization.

Signage and Wayfinding

The signage and wayfinding design enables users to find their way without having to ask for directions.

Federal Requirements

Applying the Federal Transit Administration and state environmental regulations to prevent the project from having an adverse effect on people and the environment. Federal requirements are typically referred to as “NEPA.”

The Art

The art is what makes a transit center feel and act like the “Town Center,” an integral part of the community fabric. The following examples provide examples of how this can be achieved:

Petersburg Intermodal Transit Center, Petersburg, VA

(Photo: Petersburg Kids, Petersburg Kids Tiles Up close, Petersburg Tiles)

This transit center accommodates intercity and local bus carriers, paratransit vehicles, a trolley service, taxis, bicycle racks and lockers, Kiss and Ride drop-offs and on-site parking. In addition to providing state-of-the-art transit service, the community wanted the facility to provide the “Petersburg Experience” by incorporating elements of Petersburg’s rich history, thereby drawing travelers and non-travelers alike to visit.

In recognition of Petersburg being a strategic railroad center by the mid-19th century, metaphorical inlaid concrete train rails on the outside of the building and inlaid zinc train

(Photo: Petersburg Intermodal Center. Caption: Petersburg Intermodal Center, Petersburg, VA)

rails inside the building are part of the facility’s wayfinding system that leads customers safely from mode to mode and throughout the building. Following these rails provides an interpretive walking experience by means of inlaid floor medallions and wall plaques that contain historical information.

 

Another aspect of the “art” of the facility is the inclusion of art itself. Thirty busloads of local children were invited to the site to create drawings of what they think about when they hear “public transportation.” Their artwork is displayed in the main concourse of the facility on a rotating basis.

To illustrate how transit projects enhance communities by stimulating additional development, since the transit center opened in 2011, the city opened a new library on the next block in 2014 and is currently designing a new City Hall, which will be located directly across the street. Additionally, three new apartment complexes, all within one block of the transit center, are currently in design.

 

Niagara Falls Intermodal Station, Niagara Falls, NY

This intermodal station, currently under construction, is located on the U.S.-Canadian border. Home to the majestic Niagara Falls, it was designed to be a focal point and impetus for tourism and future development of the commercial district, providing a state-of-the-art portal for tourists and commuters alike.

(Rendering: Niagara Falls Intermodal Station. Caption: Niagara Falls Intermodal Station, Niagara Falls, NY)

The station will be home to a new Amtrak Station and will accommodate local buses, tour/coach buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, taxis, park-and-ride users, and circulator shuttles for New York State Parks and local hotels.

The jewel that makes it a true tourism destination is the interpretive Underground Railroad museum that will be located in the historic, rehabilitated Customs House portion of the facility, as Niagara Falls was an important stop on this route to freedom for slaves on their flight to Canada.

Transforming this station into a community center is accomplished in several ways. The main lobby of the station is purposely designed and sized to accommodate large community events and social functions. Additionally, the project will have a large outdoor plaza, named “Harriet Tubman Plaza,” that will host outdoor entertainment and community events, anchored by a new amphitheater featuring a fabric canopy covered stage.

 

 

 

Marrying the Science and the Art

The result attained when marrying the science and art in a transit center is expressed in the timeless phrase, “The whole is greater than the sums of its parts.” A transit center that is a combination of excellent engineering and community-centric design will be a foundation for a sustainable, resilient community. Admittedly, the science and engineering portion of the equation may be easier to achieve in our current environment of scarce resources. However, the few examples contained herein inspire us that with patience, persistence, and teamwork, the art and design can successfully be added to make dynamic living places that people will wholeheartedly embrace. The result is well worth the effort.

For the full article as it appeared in BusRide Magazine, please click here: BUSRideAugust2015ArticleByWendel

Written for BusRide Magazine by:

Donald E. Gray, AIA, LEED AP

Vice President Public Transportation, Principal

Our Interior Designers design three-story Student Center for Liberty University…

Categories: Company News, Interior Design, Richmond

Our Interior Designers worked closely with VMDO of Charlottesville, VA to design this three-story Student Center for Liberty University, which is an addition to their most iconic building on campus.  The Student Center houses seven unique dining venues, a bowling alley, student organization space, a large event space and a multi-story atrium.  As our third project for the client, we expanded our role as interior designer to include ceiling and lighting design, finishes and furniture selection, server design, signage and branding initiatives, and MEP coordination of kitchen equipment and ceiling systems. Liberty has been overwhelmed with positive feedback on this successful and innovative building, bringing their campus up-to-date and showcasing a new approach to integrating students’ social, academic, and community involvement in their campus design.