Transit Master Plan: Corridor Evaluation

Overview

One important element of the Transit Master Plan is the identification and prioritization of corridors for transit investment.  To support this process, the TMP team developed a multi-stage evaluation process that is rooted in the goals of the TMP and builds upon outreach and technical analysis completed in Stage I of the project. Figure 1 outlines the multi-stage TMP process.

Corridor options will be identified based on existing route patterns, projected population and employment growth, and travel demand patterns identified in the Travel and Transit Market Analysis. To learn more about how corridors will be selected and prioritized, download the Transit Master Plan Evaluation Framework Memo.

Stage I

Stage I of this work has already been completed.  Using the corridor pathways described in the Transit Master Plan Evaluation Framework Memo, [link to PDF of memo again] Stage I identified 15 corridors for further study in Stage II. These corridors were selected based on several factors: (1) the Urban Village Transit Network corridors and performance, (2) King County Metro (KCM) route structure, (3) King County Metro Strategic Plan, RapidRide Planning and other service planning efforts, and (4) the City of Seattle street network and classifications. The criteria used focused on each corridor’s potential to generate ridership, based on current and future land use and demographic characteristics. This process eliminated corridors that are not likely to deliver a significant return on investment during the planning timeframe – by 2030. The selected corridors are shown below.