Publication Date

Summer 2004

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Urban Planning (MUP)

Department

Urban and Regional Planning

Abstract

This professional planning report, required for the granting of a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning, focuses on transit connectivity in the San Francisco Bay Area and what can be recommended to develop successful, connected transit systems. I have been a daily transit rider for over ten years. I have used transit systems in many countries and the subject of connectivity has always been important to me because of how it affects the transit experience. I approached that topic during my internship at SamTrans'/Callra in" where I had to prepare a report on connectivity that included the three counties where the Caltrain commuter train operates: Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco County. The project was initiated by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)^ which asked each transit agency in the nine-county region to discuss the question of connectivity. In October 2002, MTC amended the Transit Coordination Implementation Plan to include a new “connectivity” initiative. My work at SamTrans/Caltrain included analyzing the existing conditions of the connectivity among seven major Caltrain stations and presenting recommendations to SamTrans, Caltrain and MTC. I attended several meetings with MTC and discussed the proposed recommendations and coordination aspects with other transit operators.

The first part of this report provides a definition of connectivity and an overview of transit connectivity in the Bay Area. Chapter One defines connectivity and its components. Chapter Two examines the existing conditions of connectivity in the Bay Area transit network for those major transit systems identified in Chapter One. The second part of this report focuses on ways to improve connectivity. An examination of best practices in Chapter Three provides examples of successfully connected transit systems. I also introduce Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and their potential to improve transit connectivity. Chapter Four concludes the report with a look at the next steps for the transit agencies in terms of implementation and funding.

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