May 1, 2000

Sound Transit looking for new ideas

Got an idea to reduce traffic on major roadways in the Puget Sound Region? Pitch it to Sound Transit.

As part of the10-year Sound Move plan approved by voters in 1996, Sound Transit has set aside money to study alternative transit technologies that would supplement light rail, commuter rail and the ST Express bus service.

By 2006 when phase I of the Sound Move plan wraps up, the transportation agency will have spent up to $30 million on various feasibility studies under its Alternative Transit Technology Program. The studies must be geared toward exploring innovative ways to ease traffic congestion, while saving on operating costs for local transit agencies.

"We aren't soliciting for projects, but we do want to alert the region -- and nation -- that we are looking for unique types of technologies that may be appropriate for the region," said Nick Roach, project manager for the alternative transit program.

There's a small catch. Ideas for services must be sponsored by a public agency to qualify for Sound Transit funds, Roach said. That means private companies must get approval from agencies such as King County Metro or a city government before applying for grants.

Entranco, in partnership with the city of Bellevue, is the most recent recipient of funds. The Bellevue-based traffic analyst firm was awarded a $120,000 contract to study the viability of a buslorry system, operating between Bellevue and Sea-Tac International Airport. Buslorries are used in Europe and combine passenger and freight transport.

The idea is to reduce the number of freight vehicles on the road, by integrating freight carrier services with mass transit. The buslorry service would provide passengers with direct, nonstop service from Bellevue to Sea-Tac. Courier/package delivery services would use the buslorry cargo space to transport packages to and from the airport and Bellevue.

"That means less vehicles on (Interstate) 405," said Thomas Wittmann, project manager for Entranco.

Wittmann says success for the system is market driven: if there is no demand, it won't work. A strong selling point for delivery services is that the buslorry would use the HOV lane, affording faster travel times.

"It's similar to what Amtrak or Greyhound offers, which combine both freight and passengers," he explained. "The buslorry applies the same concepts, but in a local setting."

Wittmann stressed the buslorry system would not compete with existing courier services. The intent is to provide a service used by a variety of existing delivery companies, from United Parcel Service and Federal Express to airline delivery services, for example.

Entranco has not yet been given notice to proceed with the study. Wittmann expects Sound Transit will give the green light in about a month, allowing work to begin near the end of June. If the study shows the system could suceed, a demonstration project would begin about one year from now.

Entranco will work on the project with IVU Traffic Technologies AG, a German firm that has implemented the buslorry technology in Sweden and Germany.

Grants to study the Elliott Bay and Lake Washington water taxis services are the only others to receive money from the program thus far.

Launched as a demonstration project by King County in 1997, the Elliott Bay Water Taxi received a $128,000 grant under Sound Transit's alternative technology program. It now offers ferry service from West Seattle to downtown. In March it garnered $435,500 in federal funding, which will be earmarked to build a larger Seacrest dock in West Seattle in order provide year-round taxi service.

The Lake Washington water taxi study, awarded a $50,000 grant from Sound Transit, is currently under way by Parametrix. The study is expected to be complete by the end of June, and if all goes well, a demonstration project could begin in the fall.