Title
City of Phoenix Bus Stop Shade Improvements - New Bus Stop Shade Design
Description
This report requests the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee recommend City Council approval of improved standard bus stop designs to provide more shade for riders in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) Institute for Design and Arts. With the passage of Proposition 104, the Public Transit Department developed an implementation plan that begins to address the public’s priorities for shade at all Phoenix bus stops. The proposed bus stop shade improvements plan is a key element of “Moving Phoenix Forward” provided through Transportation 2050 (T2050).
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
Bus stop shade improvements are prioritized based on public use and an analysis of current and projected future ridership demands, connections/destinations, and population and employment densities.
All bus stops constructed since the mid-1990s must be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and must be accessible to all riders. This regulatory requirement is a major factor in making any bus stop improvements, including the addition of shade to bus stops. The Public Transit Department bus stop inventory documents the overall conditions at each stop, including whether or not the stop is ADA compliant and accessible. All improvements must comply with ADA requirements, which includes ensuring sufficient right-of-way (ROW) and infrastructure (curb, sidewalk, etc.). The current bus stop inventory also documents bus stops with any naturally occurring or constructed shade, such as landscaping, buildings, or other permanent structures that provide riders with more relief from the sun.
Designing for Improved Shade
Typical bus shelters provide shade when the sun is directly overhead. Designing shelters that provide shade at different times of the day, different seasons of the year, and in particular at west-facing bus stops creates challenges. Multiple priorities exist for producing an improved bus stop:
- Maximizing shade for riders throughout the day.
- Creating a design that fits with community preferences.
- Designing shelters that are sustainable and do not add to the heat island effect.
- Ensuring cost-effective design, manufacturing, and maintenance.
- Addressing unique spacing and physical characteristics surrounding the stops.
Status of Collaboration
The Public Transit Department partnered with the ASU Design School to create alternative designs that provide more shade at bus stops while also addressing the goals above. In speaking with the ASU Design School faculty, staff developed an idea to conduct a competition across all class levels in the Design School, have Public Transit Department staff judge the concepts, identify five finalist teams for interviews, and select interns to work with staff. Through the enthusiasm generated by the faculty, 15 teams participated in the competition. The five finalist teams were interviewed and transit staff selected four individuals to become interns working with transit staff and our contracted design engineering firm. The competition started in September 2016 and the selection process was completed in the spring of 2017. With the end of spring classes, the interns, made up of a freshman and three juniors, and a faculty advisor, worked with the transit team on a weekly basis beginning in June 2017. The interns were challenged to create concepts to present to the overall team as a starting point and then work with the team to develop and refine the concepts. By August 2017, two design concepts were created by the interns and vetted by staff.
Public Transit staff held an informal discussion with our regional partners on Aug. 9, 2017 - including 20 transit staff from Valley Metro, Avondale, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Peoria and Glendale. Public Transit staff and the ASU interns made presentations to the group describing the new design concepts, answered questions and discussed next steps with the group. The new shade design concepts were well received by our regional partners. The two design concepts are currently being refined through a structural engineering analysis including input from our bus stop manufacturer to ensure cost-effective manufacturing. The estimated cost of the new standard design is equivalent to, or will be lower than, the previous cost of the standard bus shelter design. This design would become the new standard shelter. After being field tested, the new standard shade structure will be added to the Public Transit Department’s available shelter options and allow improved shade options for new and existing bus stops. A new contract will be procured to allow the manufacturing and installation of the new standard shade structures beyond what is programmed in the current contract.
A second shelter design was also created that could be used in specific areas where an alternative, higher level design may be desired and warranted. This second design is expected to cost more than the standard shelter, but has not yet been refined through a structural engineering analysis nor has a final cost been estimated for it. The recommendation is to move forward only with the standard shelter design. At a future date the alternative, higher level design would be brought back to the Citizens Transportation Commission (CTC), T&I Subcommittee, and City Council for consideration before moving forward.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The CTC heard this item at their Sept. 28, 2017 meeting and recommended approval of the improved, standard bus stop designs and moving forward with the manufacturing and installation.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.