Design permits have been filed for the BRT station at 8th & Hudson; will be directly in front of Elemental Coffee.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt102921a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt102921b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt102921c.jpg

I love the design consistency with the streetcar stops. I hope we start to see the rest of these start to go up soon, didn't realize we were at the point where construction was ready to start.

With service starting mid-2023 we only have 18 mos for the stop engineering and construction to happen, plus all the associated things.

I love the design consistency with the streetcar stops. I hope we start to see the rest of these start to go up soon, didn't realize we were at the point where construction was ready to start.

I do too, but for the first time this morning had a thought: is it possible that non-locals might get confused between the two? I mean obviously streetcar stops have tracks running in front of them/overhead wires, but if you're not paying close attention/not thinking about it is that sort of mix-up possible? Will they be differentiated clearly?

I do too, but for the first time this morning had a thought: is it possible that non-locals might get confused between the two? I mean obviously streetcar stops have tracks running in front of them/overhead wires, but if you're not paying close attention/not thinking about it is that sort of mix-up possible? Will they be differentiated clearly?

i think the BRT will share a few street car stops as well

That bus shelter is not good. They need bigger canopy

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.researchgate.net/figure/The-TransMilenio-BRT-system-in-Colombia-26_fig2_262805964/amp

Will this service both Sbound and Nbound?

Will this service both Sbound and Nbound?

Southbound only.

The only stop that will have both directions is the one to the immediate south, the bus transit station at 4th and Hudson. Some stops will have both directions across the street from one another; so still separate although in close promity.


You can see the details for all the stops here:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44738&page=2&p=1152838#post1152838

Southbound only.

The only stop that will have both directions is the one to the immediate south, the bus transit station at 4th and Hudson. Some stops will have both directions across the street from one another; so still separate although in close promity.


You can see the details for all the stops here:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44738&page=2&p=1152838#post1152838

So how does one get on going NB if they were enjoying a cup?

Looking at the map it's either walk from 8th to 4th or from 8th to 10th/Lee.

Looking at the map it's either walk from 8th to 4th or from 8th to 10th/Lee.

Or ride the southbound for three stops before it turns around and heads north.

good point

looks like the transit center will only have outbound stop as well (I didn't see an Inbound).

LOVE the Park/Robinson stop. That will complement the Streetcar Stop across the street very nicely to really give an urban downtown feel to that already very urban segment of the city.

My impression (which could be wrong) is that signal prioritization wasn't going to include shutting down the entire intersection for the bus but rather the bus sending a signal to the light ahead to turn green (at least for most intersections without turns), but that it would otherwise drive normally in the lane. That way cars ahead of it would benefit and get to proceed along with the bus, but wouldn't block it.

I know this is an old post but in Denver, busses get an early green light while the intersection is otherwise closed on priority routes near downtown.

This project now has a twitter account: https://twitter.com/RapidBrt

and it appears the OKC BRT network will be known as RAPID. Hope that becomes the name of the entire regional system, OKC RAPID.

still disappointed with the intended use of 40-foot buses though, particularly considering the price. Hopefully there will be some advanced/clean technology instead of just a paint job on existing buses. ..

I doubt they change the name. What they should do is go back the metro as most people around the world seem more familiar with that but Embark isn’t horrible or too cheesy.

i would be nice if this was real Bus rapid transit ..

^^^ +1000000

This is basically enhanced bus service and nothing more to call this BRT is comical especially when you realize how long it’s taking

James Cooper posted about this project, calling it "Northwest Rapid"

https://www.facebook.com/jamesforokc

17199

Yes, MAPS 4 will see NE Rapid and S Rapid

The city has now filed permits for most of the other BRT stops.

From the JamesForOKC post:

"Northwest Rapid also will include:
➡️sidewalks along Classen and NW Expressway
➡️wide crosswalks at intersections along Classen and NW Expressway
➡️covered, well-lit stations with enhanced stops, which means level boarding for universal access, boarding, and alighting
➡️real-time arrival information at each station
➡️upgraded seating and lighting for enhanced comfort
➡️wi-fi throughout the bus
➡️fare collection via our mobile app, Token Transit, or via kiosks located on each platform
➡️provide reliable, frequent service, thanks to the implementation of traffic signal prioritization"

Hopefully the sidewalks will be on both sides of the street.

Some images showing the approved design:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt110921b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt110921c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt110921d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt110921e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt110921f.jpg

really like the somewhat shared design between the streetcar and this ..

Consistent branding is important.

Rapid BRT always makes me chuckle though, someone call the Department of Redundancies Department.

So are the lanes in these areas of stops going to be truly BRT? Or is it shares lanes still.

unlikely

So are the lanes in these areas of stops going to be truly BRT? Or is it shares lanes still.

No dedicated lanes but at some of the stops there are dedicated turn-out lanes, and at a few intersections the BRT buses will be able to go to the front of stopped traffic and proceed first.

You can see the details for all the stops here:

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44738&page=2&p=1152838#post1152838

not at all happy about the 40' existing buses but hopeful with signal priority and dedicated stops it will be a success and get extended further up NW Expressway (WHY??? stop at Meridian when there's tons more EASY but very useful suburban PNR opportunities up the road). ....

I really am not a fan at all of many components of this like especially how it deviates off NWE twice.

not at all happy about the 40' existing buses but hopeful with signal priority and dedicated stops it will be a success and get extended further up NW Expressway (WHY??? stop at Meridian when there's tons more EASY but very useful suburban PNR opportunities up the road). ....

So you are saying OKC will implement signal priority even though they couldn't implement that system wide for the streetcar? Why so optimistic?

I really am not a fan at all of many components of this like especially how it deviates off NWE twice.

The first deviation is to pick up the dense complex of medical buildings between Baptist and Deaconess, which employ several hundred people, including many who could make good use of public transport.

The second is to route closer to several apartment complexes near 63rd & Meridian and skip a part of NW Expressway that fronts the golf course.

It's a very smart design IMO.

Also they based using that route alternative on feedback from the open house and public meetings.

The first deviation is to pick up the dense complex of medical buildings between Baptist and Deaconess, which employ several hundred people, including many who could make good use of public transport.

The second is to route closer to several apartment complexes near 63rd & Meridian and skip a part of NW Expressway that fronts the golf course.

It's a very smart design IMO.
But the hospital is literally right on NWE. Why can’t they work to create a pedestrian corridor to the stop? That’s why we have things like first/last mile and running lines through the city in quickest, most efficient way. This seems like with all the extra curves, lights, and distance it could add 5-10 minutes of end to end travel times to the trip.

^

Because there are a bunch of big office buildings on 56th and the entrance to the hospital is nowhere near NW Expressway.

And by going that route, you also pick up all the office buildings near Deaconess as well as a senior center on Portland.

If you drove that route it would make perfect sense.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/brt111021a.jpg

I don’t know Pete it seems to me people could walk it and yes I know the weather here is bad but major routes like this should be as straight and quick as possible. But in all consideration I guess since this isn’t really true BRT just rapid bus service I can understand this routing more. People in Oklahoma need to walk and bike more.

I still contend that one day the median should be turned into bus only lanes with articulated busses going up to SH-4, down to Reno, and following Reno back to downtown OKC on dedicated lanes.

You're essentially adding on two extra stoplights by taking the NW 56th route as opposed to staying on Expressway. Which shouldn't be a big deal, *if* the lights are timed properly for the bus. In my personal experience all of the lights on that stretch of NW 56th are horribly timed, but that doesn't mean they can't fix it.

The entire area around the hospital is currently a pedestrian nightmare, which of course can be fixed as well, but I'd give the city better odds to fix a few traffic lights than to install a whole bunch of new pedestrian infrastructure in an area with no immediate houses or apartments.

I’m assuming the pedestrian infrastructure will be fixed here regardless given the route is coming through here? It’d be cool to see more details on the additional improvements.

I personally wish they had decided to place their stops on either sides of NW Expressway and have a more direct route.

Under the approved design, everyone north of the expressway (Founders District, Highland Hills, Roberts Crest, Belle Isle) won't really have access to the BRT. It's funny since the study included them in the estimates of economic activity in the corridor, but their access wasn't considered in the planning.

They seem to be proposing crosswalks at intersections (which is great, it's virtually impossible to cross right now). But it will still be difficult and dangerous to cross NW Expressway even if they add crosswalks at the intersections, just due to the nature of the road.

The approved route is good if you're exclusively focused on the hospital and not the corridor as a whole.

The approved route is good if you're exclusively focused on the hospital and not the corridor as a whole.
My thoughts exactly.

Doesn't make sense the hospital area is covered by the routes 7&8 it should go straight down nw expressway from Walmart at Belle isle to Walmart on council they have missed the mark on all the housing and jobs passed nw expressway. Just my opinion.

Many routes will change once this is in place if you recall from that survey last month there were several notional options leveraging the linkage provided by the BRT

Most of what that “detour” is bypassing is an extremely wide highway interchange. Continuing on NWX doesn’t increase ridership potential — which is the main purpose of transit. It would certainly look cleaner with a straight line but I don’t see the hospital detour as being that big of a deal.

Most of what that “detour” is bypassing is an extremely wide highway interchange. Continuing on NWX doesn’t increase ridership potential — which is the main purpose of transit. It would certainly look cleaner with a straight line but I don’t see the hospital detour as being that big of a deal.
It certainly could increase ridership if the overall line has a shorter end to end travel time. Speed is important.

So you are saying OKC will implement signal priority even though they couldn't implement that system wide for the streetcar? Why so optimistic?

I hear you, but it wont even be close to "RAPID" if they don't have signal priority. This implementation in OKC is the same as a normal bus running in the same lanes as normal traffic. A typical Rapid Transit would have dedicated Bus lanes (at least part/most of the way) in addition to dedicated stops/shelters, and 60' buses (or double decker) to have flexible capacity.

OKC wont have none of that, so Signal priority is the ONLY thing that would make it rapid.

The first deviation is to pick up the dense complex of medical buildings between Baptist and Deaconess, which employ several hundred people, including many who could make good use of public transport.

The second is to route closer to several apartment complexes near 63rd & Meridian and skip a part of NW Expressway that fronts the golf course.

It's a very smart design IMO.

Is that rapid transit though? OKC does this already - they already have buses deviate off the arterials to this complex or that venue vs. having grid bus network would would thereby negate the even NEED for a rapid bus idea since one could transfer reliably. Even the 'study' that EMBARK sent out had it's GRID idea still with jogging to here and there off the main streets. That's local bus not rapid transit.

Rapid transit is as straight as possible, in dedicated lanes and stops, with higher capacity (than local bus). The only reason why you'd jog off the main road is for transfer connections, Park N Ride, and/or transit center exchange. You'd build infrastructure (pedestrian bridge) to connect to nearby venues/attractions or have shuttles move people to/from the closest stop.

"RAPID" wont have any of that - other than dedicated stops and HOPEFULLY/NECESSARY signal priority. Otherwise, it's just another local bus route dressed up for part of NW OKC.

End to end on this line is 12 to 15 minutes as configured.


Why are people even arguing this silly point? This has all been decided after a lot of study and ample opportunity for public input.

If you lived in the area, you'd easily understand why this makes perfect logical sense.

End to end on this line is 12 to 15 minutes as configured....

Honest question since I don't know all the behind-the-scenes for things like this, but I assume they've driven this and simulated pick-ups and drop-offs and stops, and they've gotten 12-15 minutes end-to-end IRL?

If you lived in the area, you'd easily understand why this makes perfect logical sense.

I live one fourth of a mile from the integris stop

End to end on this line is 12 to 15 minutes as configured.


Why are people even arguing this silly point? This has all been decided after a lot of study and ample opportunity for public input.

If you lived in the area, you'd easily understand why this makes perfect logical sense.

google maps says it will take 30 min end to end and that is without the stops ..

Honest question since I don't know all the behind-the-scenes for things like this, but I assume they've driven this and simulated pick-ups and drop-offs and stops, and they've gotten 12-15 minutes end-to-end IRL?

google maps says it is 30 min with out stops ..

Per the design report (pg 48), northbound route will take 38 minutes end-to-end, and southbound will take 35.5 minutes. They will achieve an average 12 minute headway (wait time between vehicles) by using multiple busses. "The base running time estimate was developed from a field test. "

https://embarkok.com/assets/files/planning/BRT/12.09.2020_NW%20BRT_Preliminary%20Design%20Report_ Final.pdf

https://freepressokc.com/okc-city-council-advances-on-brt-weighs-public-housing-project/


The Bus Rapid Transit system coming soon to Oklahoma City was again the focus of conversation and one vote at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

Free Press has reported previously on the expansive and high-frequency new bus line coming to Oklahoma City soon.

On Tuesday, the Council received a report updating them on planning and design, and specifically focused on the platforms for BRT stops along the route.

The BRT has a price tag of nearly $29 million. Of that money, approximately $17 million will be dedicated to the construction of new platforms that allow embarking at the platform level, making ADA access much easier.

Additionally, street enhancements to accommodate platforms will be made over the construction phase. Intersections like the one at NW 23rd and Classen will need more infrastructure to make the intersection more compliant and friendly to ADA requirements and the users who need those protections.

The Council unanimously approved a call for bids for the station stops along the route from downtown to Northwest Expressway at Meridian.

These bids do not include the manufacturing of buses, which is almost finished. Buses are expected to be delivered in the next two months. The bids also don’t cover the building of two “Park & Ride” lots along the BRT route.

Free Press will continue to report on the BRT as it develops.

might want to spend some extra cash on sidewalks to allow somewhere for those ADA passengers to go to/from further away from the bus stops. ...

While they're at it, how about some lighting and nearby landscaping.

Also, I'm curious to know where the 2nd park n ride will be, i know one will be at Lake Hefner (way to go there - NOT). The terminus/park n ride should be further up NW Expressway like say Rockwell or Council area - truly making this a real connection to NW OKC without ruining the otherwise "urban" lake.

And we truly should do this as Commuter Bus with 'BRT elements' all the way to NWX and Council (or a little further), instead of trying to call an otherwise glorified 'local' bus with platforms - BRT. Would really service the largest population area of OKC and even give Piedmont/N Yukon a transit connection.

We got a NW BRT update this week at subcommittee. Probably most of this is already reported somewhere, but from my notes...

- First bus (of 9) delivery will be in May 22 (there will be some kind of public unveiling)
- Construction bids will be coming in during April 22
- Construction set to start in June 22
- Construction finishes Summer 23
- Equipment, system, and route testing commences
- Fare service begins Fall 23

In FY23, 27 new positions (mostly drivers, but others too).
In FY24, Dedicated TSP support personnel

Definitely no dedicated lanes, but possibly "HOV"/turn lanes in spots, which the bus would use. Otherwise just TSP and pull-off/queue jump lanes. I expressed concern about this considering the streetcar TSP doesn't always seem to perform well. It was explained that some of the streetcar TSPs were down (like 6-7 of them) a big chunk of time and that they didn't have folks dedicated to that specialty, but they will have dedicated TSP support folks on staff with the BRT.

While NE and S BRT in MAPS4 don't go online until 2028/29, source selection for planning/engineering provider happening in the next couple weeks so the alternatives analysis process can get going.

Tsp?

Tsp?

traffic signal priority