Geary Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Study
DKS is currently completing a study of the Geary Boulevard transit service in San Francisco for a project conducted by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, Muni, and the Department of Parking and Traffic. In this study, DKS has developed tools to measure transit and auto travel time delay, and diagnose what the components of delay are. From this, the team will develop at least two bus rapid transit scenarios (including VISSIM operational simulations) to determine how a restructuring of the bus service and redesign of the street can improve the speed and productivity of this heavily-used route. The team is also developing four prototype BRT stops in the corridor. The study involves working with a Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and performing three rounds of community workshops (with three locations in each round).

Downtown Seattle Transit Studies
Transit capacity is a critical element in Seattle’s transportation planning. DKS has conducted numerous transit studies in downtown Seattle to evaluate and determine the transit capacity of the surface street systems. These studies included the 3rd Avenue Transit Study, South CBD Transit Access Study, 2nd Avenue Monorail Station Studies, Pine/Pike Corridor Transit Study and the Downtown Bus Lane & Capacity Studies. These studies examined both the zone capacity and lane capacity of the street system to determine the potential transit capacity of the street system. Transit treatments including exclusive bus lanes, bus zone enhancements, parking restrictions and signal improvements were studied. Traffic volumes with and without Alaskan Way Viaduct traffic were examined to determine the impacts on bus operations and performance. DKS utilized a wide variety of modeling and analytical tools to conduct these studies including VISSIM, Synchro, HCM (Chapter 27) and EMME/2.
For the 3rd Avenue Transit Study, DKS evaluated a wide range of transit treatments to determine transit performance and operations for the closure of the downtown transit tunnel. VISSIM and Synchro were used to examine the impact on both transit and vehicle operations. For the Pine/Pike Transit Study, DKS evaluated a wide range of transit treatments on Pine and Pike Streets to evaluate alternatives to improve east-west transit service and connections through the downtown. For the Monorail Station Studies on 2nd Avenue, DKS evaluated multiple alternatives to provide pedestrian and bus lane improvements on 2nd Avenue to support pedestrian and bus transfer activities around the proposed monorail stations. DKS has also conducted multiple studies to determine the bus zone and bus lane capacities of existing surface streets to evaluate bus operations and performance with and without the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. These studies have been conducted for both King County Metro and the City of Seattle.

Line 22 Bus Rapid Transit Corridor Study
DKS assisted the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) in this first of several elements of a bus rapid transit (BRT) program. Line 22 is a 27-mile route that is the major transit corridor in SCVTA's bus system. The BRT project is intended to reduce bus travel time and improve service reliability. In this first phase, DKS led the effort to evaluate and recommend BRT components that are appropriate to this travel corridor, including transit signal priority, bulb outs, queue jump lanes, signage, bus stop design and amenities, and traveler information. DKS also worked with Caltrans to identify procedures and software requirements for implementing transit signal priority along the portion of the study corridor that is a State Highway. DKS is about to embark on the second phase of this project, which will include simulation analysis and more specific design of BRT components. The BRT line is now fully operational.

Metro South Corridor Transit Mall
The South Corridor Project focused on evaluating busway, BRT and LRT alignments in the southeast corridor of the Portland metropolitan area. Analysis focused along the I-205, McLoughlin Boulevard (ORE 99E), ORE 224 corridors and downtown Portland. The project encompassed six different public jurisdictions with over 90 affected intersections. Evaluation of these intersections includes transit signal priority, queuing analysis, motor vehicle operations, pedestrian/bicycle operations, safety implications and preliminary design input. To help assess future traffic operations, an integration of the EMME/2 regional travel demand model, Synchro and VISSIM was implemented. Arcview/GIS applications were used to help assess non-motorized modes of travel.

San Joaquin BRT Master Plan
DKS Associates prepared the San Joaquin County-wide BRT Master Plan. The plan presents a 10-year vision for development of BRT within the County, covering both surface street routes within the major urban areas of the county, and long distance routes connecting Stockton and Tracy to the transit systems or activity centers of Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. The plan identifies the opportunities presented by planned infrastructure projects, and the responsibilities of each relevant agency for the various components of BRT (such as TSP, stops and/or stations, ITS elements and physical construction).

AC Transit On-Call Engineering Services, Transbay Terminal Operations Analysis
AC Transit On-Call Engineering Services. DKS maintains an on-call engineering services arrangement with AC Transit. For one task, DKS performed an assessment of the Transbay Terminal alternatives. In another task, DKS laid out a preliminary concept plan for an Oakland Army Base Park-and-Ride proposal. DKS prepared a Transit Enhancements Catalog for use by AC Transit policymakers, showing different design techniques which could benefit transit service. DKS also prepared an analysis of different storage and layout options for AC Transit for the period of time when the Transbay Terminal and approach ramps are seismically retrofitted. Through an on-call engineering services arrangement, DKS has been working with the Transbay Terminal Working Group to quantify the operational requirements of AC Transit at AM and PM peak hours. This analysis examined each bus operation at the terminal, analyzed the platform and staging capacity of different options, defined the impacts of any deficiencies, and estimated operations and capital costs associated with midday storage.

Marin County Local Transit Futures
DKS assisted the Marin County Transit District and other partners in the development of an optimal local bus transit plan for Marin County. DKS assessed transit center and bus stop needs, prepared a catalog of improvements, provided market analyses and ridership estimates, and presented at public meetings. The resulting plan included three major transfer points in the county, and supporting local buses and shuttles that would dramatically improve transit travel times and ridership within the County.
DKS assisted in preparing a local transit service strategy for the Marin County Transit District (MCTD). Marin Transit Futures provides a long/range vision and practical implementation strategies for improving the range of public transportation choices for local Marin County trips. The goal of this effort is to enhance local mobility and create more livable communities by increasing the opportunities for County residents and workers to use transportation modes other than the single occupant vehicle. Two service scenarios were developed including: 1) reasonable choice between the auto and transit for trips within Marin County; and 2) ferry emphasis which reorients Golden Gate Transit routes 20 and 50 to provide a feeder function to the planned expansion of fast ferries. Recommended services plan improvements include: 1) a new 101 route between Novato and Sausalito with effective 15 minute headways and supplemental express bus services during peak periods; 2) three "transit junctions" for timed transfers between inter-community and local services with passenger amenities and electronic message signs announcing the next bus; 3) improved freeway bus pads and pedestrian access to enable convenient connections between regional and inter-community transit services; 4) a new system of inter-community routes to provide and attractive local transit network for direct travel between Marin County communities; and 5) and array of local services tailored to meet the different needs of Marin communities. A comprehensive financial plan of operating costs, capital costs, and revenues was prepared. DKS' role in the study was to illustrate travel patterns, develop pivot-point ridership forecasts, and develop a program to provide enhanced transit facilities for junctions, freeway bus pads and local bus stops. The study also included evaluation of funding strategies and revenue sources for the District to pursue.

Alameda County - Grand MacArthur Transit Improvements
For the Alameda CMA, DKS was the lead consultant to prepare bus bulb out designs for two stops on Grand Avenue and Perkins Street. DKS prepared all of the design work. Each bulb out required special solutions due to the presence of existing driveways in the bulb out locations. The bulb out configuration required special drainage features. Also, the City required that the existing shade trees be preserved. The team developed special details for accommodating existing drainage systems cost effectively that would also result in easy maintenance. The project required the relocation of utilities and repaving of a steeply sloped shoulder. The project has been designed and will be constructed in 2007. Tom Krakow was the project manager. Westley Myles prepared the engineering.

King County Speed and Reliability
DKS is responsible for managing various work orders related to the design, analysis and implementation of transit signal priority on local arterials in King County. This work includes the design and analysis of transit priority traffic signal control strategies, signal coordination, speed and delay studies, traffic modeling, testing of traffic signal controllers and field equipment and assisting local agencies with the implementation of transit priority traffic control equipment. DKS worked with Econolite to test the latest transit signal priority firmware developed for King County. DKS performed the bench testing of the controller and recommended modifications to improve performance of TSP operations. All the critical recommendations have since been implemented and DKS is in the process of deploying new TSP timings for SR-99 in Shoreline. DKS also developed Synchro models for King County Metro and the City of Seattle to more accurately model transit delay, and developed an executive briefing on current transit priority practices in major cities around the world.