Commute Alternatives
  1. Contact employers via channel 12, LITM, the Internet, etc. to find out what could be done to encourage them to develop telecommuting programs at their job sites.
0
5
10
4
  1. Recommend tax incentives for employers who implement telecommuting, carpooling and other commute alternatives programs. (The TransitChek program was cited as one specific measure currently available.)
6
4
7
2
  1. Preferential parking treatments for carpools should be established at worksites in addition to transit stations (for example, reduced parking costs for carpools).
3
8
4
2
  1. Municipal land use regulations should encourage transit-friendly designs.
14
5
0
0
  1. Employer-sponsored vanpool services should be encouraged.
3
7
9
0
  1. Flexible work hours should be allowed for transit riders to allow them to meet bus and train schedules.
7
6
4
2
  1. Develop staggered work hours and compressed workweek programs.
5
7
6
1
  1. Trip chaining should be reduced by placing daycare facilities and other services at transit hubs or work locations.
4
10
2
2
Ridesharing
  1. Carpooling should be encouraged.
2
9
6
1
  1. Set aside an existing lane on current three- and four-lane limited access highways for vehicles containing two or more passengers.
4
3
5
6
  1. Increase the speed limit for HOV lanes.
1
4
4
9
  1. Create high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the LIE where tolls vary based on vehicle occupancy
2
0
1
15
  1. Create high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on the LIE where tolls vary based on congestion conditions.
3
2
1
13
  1. Expand EZ Pass in the region and enhance it to offer price breaks to carpools during peak commute periods on weekdays.
4
5
0
9
  1. Promote area-wide computer ridematching.
2
3
11
2
  1. Consider trip management requirements for new developments (e.g., limit the number of vehicle trips that a development may generate).
3
3
10
2
  1. Recommend legislation to limit or eliminate any liability that may exist on employers that promote carpooling, vanpooling, and transit as an alternative to drive-alone commuting by their employees.
6
9
0
3
  1. Expand overcrowded park & ride lots and provide additional lots as warranted by study.
3
9
5
1
  1. Implement appropriate systems that provide preferential highway treatment to buses, carpools, and vanpools.
3
5
8
1
  1. Allow developers to substitute TDM programs with specific vehicle-trip-reduction goals instead of constructing an offsetting number of parking spaces. For affected developers, this would require reducing the number of parking spaces that they would normally be required to construct under local regulations.
4
6
5
3
  1. Consider reducing single-occupancy automobile travel by taxing vehicles and/or by implementing congestion pricing.
1
6
1
10
Transit

Coordination Within and Between Modes

  1. Bus schedules should be coordinated with rail schedules during both the peak and off peak periods, where appropriate.
12
7
1
0
  1. Improve bus-to-bus connections (e.g., timed transfers).
9
10
0
0
  1. Develop an expanded network of shuttle bus services designed specifically to serve LIRR trains (e.g., the Woodbury Shuttle).
9
7
4
1
  1. Consider Advance Public Transit Systems (APTS) like real-time transit information at bus stops or train stations.
4
13
2
0
Transit Fares
  1. Passengers should be able to use a single ticket or pass (like MetroCard) for all modes of public transportation.
10
7
1
0
  1. Selectively lower LIRR fares to encourage use of underutilized services or other creative pricing schemes.
7
5
6
1
  1. Reduce the price of off-peak transit services.
5
5
8
1
  1. Seek general fare reductions to make LI transit services (i.e., bus and rail) more attractive.
4
2
10
2
  1. Free transit should be considered as a solution to traffic problems.
2
3
2
10
  1. Simplification of the existing LIRR fare structure that makes it easier for riders to understand and use should be implemented.
2
6
6
4
Educating the Public
  1. Public awareness, education, and support are very important factors.
3
11
4
1
  1. Have high schools and more colleges on Long Island create programs of study on transportation in the region.
2
4
7
6
  1. Need to work on changing people's attitude about transit and carpooling similar to how attitudinal changes have been made towards smoking and the environment.
6
10
2
2
  1. Development of a regional passenger information system covering all modes.
4
14
1
0
Demand Responsive Services
  1. Explore transportation related welfare-to-work issues as part of this subcommittee. The Huntington Town Council is developing a demonstration project which is dealing with employee training, childcare issues, interview techniques, and how to use transit (read schedules, fare information, etc.).
3
4
7
5
  1. Provide paratransit services utilizing small vehicles in low-density areas that could not support bus service.
4
6
8
2
Bus Options
  1. More frequent bus service (e.g., 15 minute peak and 30 minute off peak headways).
7
6
7
0
  1. Proposed LIE Express Bus Lane (see map) - buses would operate along the LIE with stations at locations as shown. The stations would permit passengers boarding and alighting, parking and facilities for feeder and other connecting bus services. Buses would be provided preferential treatment to assure high operating speeds.
6
3
2
8
  1. Proposed Southern Corridor Express Bus (see map) - buses would operate along the Southern State Parkway with stations as shown. Buses could be accommodated by redesign of the roadway or use of special transit vehicles that could operate on the Parkway with its low bridge clearances.
6
1
2
10
  1. Express Bus System (see map) - similar to Solutions 40 and 41 except a network of bus lanes would be operated on several east-west and north-south roadways including the Long Island Expressway, Southern State Parkway, Route 110, and Veterans Memorial Highway.
6
2
4
7
  1. Proposed Long Island Arterial Bus System (see map) - limited skip stop bus service on major arterial roadways (Sunrise Highway, Hempstead Turnpike, LIE Service Roads etc.) with preferential treatment afforded to transit vehicles through signal pre-emption and bus lanes.
6
2
5
6
  1. Develop new express bus services from park & ride lots (e.g., the 110 Clipper express bus service).
3
5
10
1
  1. Improve Suffolk County Transit bus system through reduced route spacing and increased coverage.
5
10
3
0
  1. Extend the span of service (e.g., late nights and weekends).
3
12
4
1
  1. Coordinate with major employers to develop a subscription bus service.
3
10
6
1
  1. Provide priority treatments for buses at intersections.
4
6
8
2
  1. Additional North/South feeder bus services to LIRR stations should be created.
7
9
4
0
Rail/Guideway Options
  1. Main Line Third Track Construction (included in LIRR 20-Year Needs Assessment submission for 1997 - 2016).
14
5
1
0
  1. Full double tracking between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma (included in LIRR 20-Year Needs Assessment submission for 1997 - 2016).
14
5
1
0
  1. Electrification of the Central Branch between Bethpage and Babylon (included in LIRR 20-Year Needs Assessment submission for 1997 - 2016).
13
5
2
0
  1. Electrification extensions from Ronkonkoma to Yaphank and Bablyon to Speonk (included in LIRR 20-Year Needs Assessment submission for 1997 - 2016).
13
3
2
2
  1. Expansion/Replacement of the Electric Fleet (included in LIRR 20-Year Needs Assessment submission for 1997 - 2016).
10
5
2
2
  1. Continued Parking Expansion and Regional Hub Development (included in LIRR 20-Year Needs Assessment submission for 1997 - 2016).
10
6
2
2
  1. Option A (see map) - Nassau County Phase I LRT line that would run from Valley Stream to Oyster Bay and a Suffolk County Phase I that would run from Republic Airport to Stony Brook. Phase II and III would extend the initial lines.
4
2
8
4
  1. Option B (see map) - a North-South Light Rail Line that draws from the Montauk, Long Beach, and Rockaway branches of the LIRR. The proposed line then goes along the West Hempstead Branch, continues along the old right of way to Country Life Press. It would continue along the old Central Branch to the retail center and the Hofstra-Coliseum-Nassau Community area in a circular path and would have a connection to the Main Line that would link it with the Oyster Bay branch.
4
4
7
2
  1. Option C (see map) - North Fork / South Fork connection via a new rail link between the Montauk and Greenport lines.
2
2
7
7
  1. Option D (see map) - a light rail line that does not utilize LIRR track right-of-way. Reliance is placed on at-grade and exclusive transit sections.
2
5
7
5
  1. Option E (see map) - light rail lines that travel along the Long Island Expressway, Route 110, and portions of Veterans Memorial Highway into McArthur Airport and a separate line that serves the Mineola Hub area.
5
4
5
5
  1. Nassau Hub Light Rail (see map) - a single bi-directional line that would connect various locations within the Nassau Hub using LRT technology.
6
6
5
2
  1. Nassau Hub - Personal People Mover (see map) - this plan uses small capacity vehicles that would allow passengers to complete their trip without intermediate stops.
3
5
7
4
  1. Nassau Hub People Mover with Fins (see map) - operates as a traditional people mover that makes 18-stop circuit through the Nassau Hub area.
1
8
5
4
  1. Purchase self-contained Diesel Multiple-Unit trains to initiate frequent off-peak service on "scoot" operations, such as to Port Jefferson, Riverhead and Patchogue and points east.
4
6
4
5
  1. Reopen the Central Branch between Garden City and Bethpage to increase Main Line and Port Jefferson Line capacity.
4
3
4
7
  1. Double-track the existing Central Branch between Bethpage and Babylon to increase Montauk Branch capacity and reliability.
5
2
7
4
  1. Double-track all existing LIRR lines within the commuter zones to increase capacity and enable reverse commuting.
5
6
6
0
  1. Double-track the LIRR to Montauk.
3
2
6
7
  1. Expanded rail service oriented to intra-island and reverse commute travel with appropriate operational changes and physical improvements.
7
6
5
0
LIRR Station Parking
  1. Satellite parking lots should be established along with shuttles to and from the satellite lots to the rail stations.
6
6
5
2
  1. A managed parking plan should be developed at LIRR stations. Single occupancy vehicle would pay the highest fees with carpool vehicles paying less. Revenues could be used to maintain the safety and security of the lot and operate shuttle bus services.
7
5
3
4
  1. Build more parking (including multi-level parking) at LIRR stations.
5
10
2
2
  1. Set aside a percentage of parking spaces at LIRR train stations for off peak rail commuters.
2
8
5
2
LIRR Service
  1. Seek labor agreements to allow more frequent off-peak LIRR service with smaller crews.
5
1
5
6
  1. "Regularize" all off-peak LIRR service at specific intervals, without service gaps.
6
6
4
2
  1. The LIRR should provide better service on all branches. Better scheduling of LIRR service is needed to accommodate special events in New York City.
3
6
9
1
Grade Crossings
  1. Accelerate the grade crossing elimination program, which would increase throughput and eliminate accidents (included in LIRR 20-Year Needs Assessment submission for 1997 - 2016).
9
8
2
0
Other Suggestions
  1. Recommend potential demonstration projects to evaluate the benefit of a particular measure.
4
5
6
2
  1. Improve commuting options to and from the major airports and between the airports.
8
7
3
0
  1. Potential solutions should consider ways to encourage people that are not currently using transit to switch to transit.
7
10
0
1
  1. Make provisions for bicycles to be carried, with, or without extra fare, on all transit equipment, and consider bicycle provisions on existing equipment along with secure storage areas at stations and park & ride lots.
6
4
6
2

RATING SHEET COMMENTS

Below is a listing of comments that were included with the rating sheets.

Solution 6: Should be edited to read "Flexible work hours should be allowed for transit riders to allow the to drive during the off-peak and peak shoulders.

Solution 9: How should carpooling be encouraged?

Solution 12 and 13: Would cause more slowdowns.

Solution 13: Should be in existing lanes only.

Solution 16: One member said the text should say, "require." Another member asked how would the solution be implemented.

Solution 19: Too vague.

Solution 21: How would this be implemented without causing slow downs?

Solutions 27, 28, & 29: LIRR fare policy is set by the MTA Board. Further bond covenants would limit the opportunities to lower fares. In addition, lowering LIRR fares would place the MTA's approved financial plan at risk. Finally, there is not sufficient current transit/rail capacity to operate a free system.

Solution 34: How could this be implemented?

Solution 37: What are the costs for this?

Solutions 39 through 43: Cannot rate until cost and demand information is provided.

Solution 48: Should not be limited to north/south feeder lines.

Solution 55: The MTA/LIRR generally support transit options as a congestion mitigation tool. However, the MTA/LIRR cannot support the use of LIRR right-of way for anything other than LIRR service. Two members said the rating would depend on configuration.

Solutions 55 - 59: These solutions should not focus on technologies, but should focus on defining new, potential corridors as needed.

Solutions 60, 61, and 62: The LIRR plans to support the final recommendations developed for, and adopted by, Nassau County.

Solution 63: The LIRR is currently evaluating the need for this type of service east of Ronkonkoma and Speonk. The LIRR does not operate DMU's on the Port Jefferson Branch, since the new diesel fleet will provide a higher level of service.

Solution 66: Double-tracking should be selective -- not along all branches. The specific transportation problem should be defined before recommending a particular solution.

Solution 74: This is already in planning and will see implementation, where appropriate, in the fall 1999.

Solution 75: This option is too vague. In addition, the LIRR already provides additional train service to accommodate special events in NYC.