Alternatives Evaluation Criteria –
Draft 5
June 2018
West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions
Page 2 | AE 0036-17 | Alternatives Ev
aluation Criteria – Draft 5
DRAFT – For internal discussion only. Not reviewed or approved on behalf of any party.
July 2018
Table 1 Level 1 Screening Evaluation Criteria, Measures and Methods (by segment) – COMPLETE
Purpose and Need
(1)
/ Evaluation Criteria
(2)
Measure
(3)
Quantitative or
Qualitative
(4)
Methods
(5)
Provide high quality rapid, reliable, and efficient peak and off-peak light rail transit service to communities in the project corridors defined in ST3
Reliable Service Potential service interruptions and recoverability Qualitative
Number of service interruptions during peak and off-peak travel periods (e.g., number of movable bridge openings, at-grade crossings,
etc.) and redundancy and ability to re-route service
Travel Times
LRT travel times Quantitative Estimated travel times within segments based on alignment characteristics
Improve regional mobility by increasing connectivity and capacity through downtown Seattle to meet projected transit demand
Regional Connectivity
Network integration and operational flexibility to meet future
demand
Qualitative Ability to accommodate spine segmentation for regional LRT system connectivity and operational flexibility to meet future demand
Transit Capacity Passenger carrying capacity in downtown Qualitative Combined carrying capacity of downtown transit tunnels
Projected Transit Demand
Ridership potential
Quantitative/
Qualitative
Future 2040 total population and employment within 0.5-mile buffer of WSBLE Project stations
Connect regional centers as described in adopted regional and local land use, transportation, and economic development plans and Sound Transit’s Long-Range Plan
Regional Centers Served
Station proximity to PSRC-designated regional centers Quantitative Number of PSRC-designated regional growth centers and manufacturing/industrial centers served by stations
Sound Transit Long-Range Plan Consistency
Accommodates future LRT extension beyond ST3 Qualitative Ability to accommodate expansion potential of future LRT extensions identified in Sound Transit Long-Range Plan
Implement a system that is consistent with the ST3 Plan that established transit mode, corridor, and station locations and that is technically feasible and financially sustainable to build, operate, and maintain
ST3 Consistency
Mode, route and general station locations per ST3 Qualitative Consistency of mode, route and general station locations per ST3
Potential ST3 operating plan effects Qualitative Integration of WSBLE Project into existing LRT spine and overall system (e.g., special trackwork, movable bridge implications, etc.)
Technical Feasibility
Engineering constraints Qualitative
Compliance with Sound Transit Design Criteria Manual, design criteria from agencies with jurisdiction and federal regulations;
engineering obstacles associated with major infrastructure constraints
Constructability issues Qualitative
Major constructability issues based on potential conflicts and technical challenges (e.g., utility conflicts, existing infrastructure,
geotechnical, tunnel portals, etc.)
Operational constraints Qualitative Consideration of operational constraints (e.g., access to maintenance facility, vertical grade, horizontal curvature, movable bridge, etc.)
Financial Sustainability
Qualitative capital cost comparison Qualitative ST3 cost consistency based on identification of major capital cost drivers (e.g., route miles, route configuration, bridge type, etc.)
Expand mobility for the corridor and region’s residents, which include transit dependent, low income, and minority populations
Historically Underserved Populations
Opportunities for historically underserved populations Qualitative
Assessment of improved access to opportunities (i.e., employment, housing and transit) for historically underserved populations (i.e.,
environmental justice populations) within station areas, as well as along the frequent transit network that would serve the station
Encourage equitable and sustainable urban growth in station areas through support of transit-oriented development, station access, and modal integration in a manner that is consistent with local land use plans and policies
Station Area Land Use Plan Consistency
General station locations consistent with local land use plans Qualitative Compatibility and consistency of station locations with local land use plans
Station proximity to Seattle-designated Urban Centers and Villages Qualitative Proximity of station locations to centroid of defined urban centers and villages as identified in City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan
Modal Integration
Bus/rail and rail/rail integration Qualitative Potential ability to integrate with bus and rail service and ease of transfers for transit customers
Bicycle, pedestrian and persons with limited mobility connectivity Qualitative
Accessibility of station locations to major existing and planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities and identification of major physical
barriers to walking and biking within general station areas for bicyclists and pedestrians, including persons with limited mobility
Station Area Development Opportunities Development potential Qualitative Likelihood of land potentially available for future development within station areas based on zoning composition
Preserve and promote a healthy environment and economy by minimizing adverse impacts on the natural, built and social environments through sustainable practices
Environmental Effects
Protected natural resources Qualitative Impacts to known natural resources (e.g., waterbodies, wetlands, etc.)
Protected built and social environment Qualitative
Impacts to known built and social resources (e.g., parks, historic properties/districts, Section 4(f)/6(f), construction impacts, etc.) and
potential for residential and business displacements
Burden on historically underserved populations Qualitative
Assessment of how potential acquisitions and displacements would affect historically underserved populations (i.e., environmental
justice populations) relative to other communities and displacement risk from station area redevelopment
West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions
Page 3 | AE 0036-17 | Alternatives Ev
aluation Criteria – Draft 5
DRAFT – For internal discussion only. Not reviewed or approved on behalf of any party.
July 2018
Table 1 Level 1 Screening Evaluation Criteria, Measures and Methods (by segment) – COMPLETE
Purpose and Need
(1)
/ Evaluation Criteria
(2)
Measure
(3)
Quantitative or
Qualitative
(4)
Methods
(5)
Traffic Operations
Traffic circulation and access Qualitative Effects on traffic and transit (i.e., bus and streetcar) operations, including potential lane restrictions, turn restrictions, and parking
Economic Effects
Freight movement and access on land and water Qualitative Effects on freight mobility and future freight capacity expansion opportunities, including both on land and water
Business and commerce effects Qualitative Effects on local businesses, as well as commercial and industrial areas
Notes:
(1) Based on Draft Purpose and Need Statement (dated January 24, 2018), with revisions incorporated from feedback received during early scoping.
(2) Criteria are subject to change as alternatives are refined and screened at each level, as well as to incorporate stakeholder input.
(3) Screening criteria and associated measures get progressively more detailed and quantitative as the alternatives are screened through Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
(4) Measures ranked from high to low based on comparison to ST3 Representative Project; “High” = higher performance, “Comparable” = comparable performance, “Low” = lower performance.
(5) Agency and stakeholder input will be considered in the overall alternatives evaluation and screening process.
West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions
Page 4 | AE 0036-17 | Alternatives Ev
aluation Criteria – Draft 5
DRAFT – For internal discussion only. Not reviewed or approved on behalf of any party.
July 2018
Table 2 Level 2 Screening Evaluation Criteria, Measures and Methods (by segment)
Purpose and Need
(1)
/ Evaluation Criteria
(2)
Measure
(3)
Quantitative or
Qualitative
(4)
Methods
(5)
Provide high quality rapid, reliable, and efficient peak and off-peak light rail transit service to communities in the project corridors defined in ST3
Reliable Service
Potential service interruptions and recoverability Quantitative
Number of service interruptions during peak and off-peak travel periods (e.g., frequency and duration of movable bridge openings, at-
grade crossings, etc.) and redundancy and ability to re-route service
Travel Times
LRT travel times Quantitative
Estimated travel times within segments based on alignment characteristics
Improve regional mobility by increasing connectivity and capacity through downtown Seattle to meet projected transit demand
Regional Connectivity
LRT network integration Qualitative Ability to accommodate spine segmentation for regional LRT system connectivity and operational flexibility to meet future demand
Transit Capacity
Passenger carrying capacity in downtown Qualitative Combined passenger carrying capacity of downtown transit tunnels
Projected Transit Demand Ridership potential Quantitative Future PSRC-forecasted 2040 total population and employment within 10-minute walkshed of WSBLE Project stations
Connect regional centers as described in adopted regional and local land use, transportation, and economic development plans and Sound Transit’s Long-Range Plan
Regional Centers Served
Station proximity to PSRC-designated regional growth centers Quantitative Number of PSRC-designated regional growth centers served by stations
Station proximity to PSRC-designated manufacturing/industrial
centers
Quantitative
Number of PSRC-designated manufacturing/industrial centers served by stations
Sound Transit Long-Range Plan Consistency
Accommodates future LRT extension beyond ST3 Qualitative Ability to accommodate expansion potential of future LRT extensions identified in Sound Transit Long-Range Plan
Implement a system that is consistent with the ST3 Plan that established transit mode, corridor, and station locations and that is technically feasible and financially sustainable to build, operate, and maintain
ST3 Consistency
Mode, route and general station locations per ST3 Qualitative Consistency of mode, route and general station locations per ST3
Potential ST3 implementation schedule effects Qualitative
Constructability, environmental or other issues/challenges that may cause WSBLE Project schedule risks (e.g., right-of-way [ROW]
acquisition needs, in-water work restrictions, regulatory compliance process, etc.)
Potential ST3 operating plan effects Qualitative
Integration of WSBLE Project into existing LRT spine and overall system (i.e., special trackwork, movable bridge implications, etc.)
Technical Feasibility
Engineering constraints
Quantitative/
Qualitative
Compliance with Sound Transit Design Criteria Manual, design criteria from agencies with jurisdiction and federal regulations and
engineering obstacles associated with major infrastructure constraints; incorporate findings of engineering feasibility studies
Constructability issues
Quantitative/
Qualitative
Constructability issues based on potential conflicts and technical challenges (e.g., utility conflicts, existing infrastructure,
geotechnical, tunnel portals, etc.); incorporate findings of engineering feasibility studies
Operational constraints Qualitative
Assessment of operational constraints (e.g., access to maintenance facility, vertical grade, horizonal curvature, movable bridge, etc.);
incorporate findings of engineering feasibility studies
Financial Sustainability
Conceptual capital cost comparison Quantitative
ST3 cost consistency and conceptual capital cost comparison based on conceptual design quantities and current Sound Transit unit
pricing
Operating cost impacts Qualitative Assessment of operations and maintenance (O&M) cost impacts, including annual and lifecycle costs
Expand mobility for the corridor and region’s residents, which include transit dependent, low income, and minority populations
Historically Underserved Populations
Opportunities for low-income and minority populations
Qualitative
Assessment of improved access to opportunities (activity nodes served, as described below) for low-income and minority populations
within station areas
and how the project would improve access for low-income and minority populations along the system to these
nodes, as well as access for low-income and minority populations in the study area to major regional employment and educational
destinations
Quantitative Number of rent-restricted or subsidized rental units 10-minute walkshed (i.e., rent- and income-restricted housing units)
Low-income population Quantitative
Low-income population (i.e., households below 2 times the federal poverty level) within 10-minute walkshed and 15-minute ride on
connecting high frequency transit
Minority population
1
Quantitative
Minority population within 10-minute walkshed and 15-minute ride on connecting high frequency transit
Youth population (under 18) Quantitative Youth population (under 18) within 10-minute walkshed and 15-minute ride on connecting high frequency transit
1
Minority population is defined in U.S. DOT Updated Environmental Justice Order 5610.2(a) as persons belonging to any of the following groups: Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and American Indian and Alaska Native.
West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions
Page 5 | AE 0036-17 | Alternatives Ev
aluation Criteria – Draft 5
DRAFT – For internal discussion only. Not reviewed or approved on behalf of any party.
July 2018
Table 2 Level 2 Screening Evaluation Criteria, Measures and Methods (by segment)
Purpose and Need
(1)
/ Evaluation Criteria
(2)
Measure
(3)
Quantitative or
Qualitative
(4)
Methods
(5)
Elderly population (65 and over) Quantitative
Elderly population (65 and over) within 10-minute walkshed and 15-minute ride on connecting high frequency transit
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) population Quantitative LEP population within 10-minute walkshed and 15-minute ride on connecting high frequency transit
Disabled population Quantitative
Disabled population (includes those with hearing, vision, or ambulatory disability) within 10-minute walkshed and 15-minute ride on
connecting high frequency transit
Encourage equitable and sustainable urban growth in station areas through support of transit-oriented development, station access, and modal integration in a manner that is consistent with local land use plans and policies
Station Area Land Use Plan Consistency
Compatibility with Seattle designated Urban Centers and Villages Quantitative
Percent of 10-minute station walkshed land area located within Seattle-designated Urban Centers and/or Villages
Station locations consistent with current local land use plans Qualitative
Compatibility and consistency of station locations with current local land use plans
Activity nodes served Quantitative
Number of activity nodes (e.g., points of interest, gathering spaces, food banks, educational institutions, parks and recreational
resources) within 10-minute walkshed of stations
Modal Integration
Passenger transfers Qualitative
Assessment of ease of passenger transfer for riders transferring between light rail lines, and between light rail and other motorized
modes (bus, paratransit, drop-off/pick-up, transportation network companies [TNC]) at stations
Bus/rail and rail/rail integration
Quantitative/
Qualitative
Percentage of peak-hour bus and rail trips that stop within one block of proposed station locations relative to the total number of
peak-hour bus and rail trips within a 700 foot walk of proposed stations
Bicycle accessibility Quantitative
Ratio of bicycle facility miles (neighborhood greenway, bicycle lanes, protected bicycle lanes, and trails) to total roadway miles within
10-minute bikeshed of stations
Pedestrian and persons with limited mobility accessibility
Quantitative/
Qualitative
Ratio of sidewalk and trail miles to total roadway miles within 10-minute walkshed of stations, and assessment of impediments to
pedestrian and ADA access (i.e., large intersections with signal delay, significant topography or grade challenges)
Station Area Development Opportunities
Development potential Quantitative
Development potential, incorporating zoned capacity and market conditions, within 10-minute walkshed of stations (5-minute
walkshed in downtown)
Equitable development opportunities Qualitative
Assessment of unique opportunities for equitable development enabled by station location and/or conceptual configuration
Preserve and promote a healthy environment and economy by minimizing adverse impacts on the natural, built and social environments through sustainable practices
Environmental Effects
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed or eligible
historic properties and Seattle City Landmarks
Quantitative
Number of intersected or adjacent NRHP-listed, NRHP-eligible, and Seattle City Landmark property impacts based on Department of
Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) data and City of Seattle Landmark data
Potential archaeological resources Quantitative
Percent of alternative length within previously identified archaeology sensitive areas that are 500 feet (or 0.5 miles at water
crossings) from alignment
Parks and recreational resources
Quantitative
Number of and estimated area of potential permanent impacts to parks and recreational resources
Water resources
Quantitative
Estimated area of potential permanent in-water impacts
Fish and wildlife habitat Quantitative
Estimated area of potential permanent impact to fish and wildlife habitat using city of Seattle environmentally critical areas
Hazardous materials
Quantitative
Number of contaminated properties potentially impacted, including Superfund sites
Visual
Quantitative/
Qualitative
Evaluation of the length of elevated guideway adjacent to residential or other visually sensitive areas, including parks and historic
properties; an assessment of scale of elevated guideway in visually sensitive areas; and potential impacts to protected views as
designated in Seattle Municipal Code
Noise and vibration
Quantitative
Number of potentially affected noise and vibration sensitive receivers, including residences, libraries, performance halls, schools,
churches, and selected parks within 350 feet of alignment; the presence of known noise and vibration sensitive laboratories will be
noted
Property acquisitions and displacements
Quantitative
Number of potentially affected properties, including potential residential and business displacements
Construction impacts
Qualitative
Assessment of temporary construction impacts to community, including potential for transportation, access, noise, vibration, and
visual effects that could disrupt the community (including existing residents, businesses, social service providers), including relative
duration of construction and impacts to high volume traffic areas
West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions
Page 6 | AE 0036-17 | Alternatives Ev
aluation Criteria – Draft 5
DRAFT – For internal discussion only. Not reviewed or approved on behalf of any party.
July 2018
Table 2 Level 2 Screening Evaluation Criteria, Measures and Methods (by segment)
Purpose and Need
(1)
/ Evaluation Criteria
(2)
Measure
(3)
Quantitative or
Qualitative
(4)
Methods
(5)
Burden on low-income and minority populations Qualitative
Assessment of how potential acquisitions and displacements and visual, noise and construction impacts would affect low-income and
minority populations relative to other communities and displacement risk from station area redevelopment
Traffic Operations
Traffic circulation and access
Qualitative
Effects on traffic and transit (i.e., bus and streetcar) operations, including potential lane restrictions, lane eliminations, turn
restrictions, driveways impacted, and parking taken
Transportation facilities
Qualitative
Effects on existing transportation facilities, including bicycle lanes, sidewalks, traffic interchanges and other transportation
infrastructure as warranted, and compatibility with planned facilities
Economic Effects
Freight movement and access on land and water
Qualitative
Effects on existing and future freight mobility and future freight capacity expansion opportunities, including both on land and water
Business and commerce effects Qualitative
Effects on businesses, as well as commercial and industrial areas, including potential impacts during construction and operations
from changes in access, travel patterns and displacements
Notes:
(1) Based on Draft Purpose and Need Statement, with revisions incorporated from feedback received during the Level 1 evaluation.
(2) Criteria are subject to change as alternatives are refined and screened at each level, as well as to incorporate stakeholder input.
(3) Screening criteria and associated measures get progressively more detailed and quantitative as the alternatives are screened through Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
(4) Measures ranked from high to low based on anticipated ability to achieve evaluation measure; “High” = high ability to achieve measure, “Medium” = moderate ability to achieve measure, “Low” = low ability to achieve measure; no weighting will be applied.
(5) Agency and stakeholder input will be considered in the overall alternatives evaluation and screening process.
