nativeomahan wrote: Thu Aug 18, 2022 11:14 pm
I think the three keys to a successful streetcar system are (1) frequency — busses or rail cars running at least every 10-15 minutes; (2) clean interiors; and (3) routes that go where people live and where they need to go. We took busses to within a few blocks of the big museums, the botanical center and the zoo. All public transit lines in Colorado are free of charge to all users for the entire month of August. It saved us close to $100 versus using Uber, where rides were quite expensive, averaging more than $1 per city block!
I think these is about right. Although (3) can be a result of the transit systems. Run the systems and let time and development add more living places and places people need to go.
I'd also add (4) they should be on average at worst about the same speed as an uber.
I just read in the MBJ that a cohort from CB, including the CB Chamber and other municipal institutions, Google, and IWCC reps, visited DC to meet with members of Congress from Iowa and Nebraska and US DOT to talk about regional issues like housing and workforce. It sounds like the bulk of their conversations, however, revolved around the multimodal streetcar bridge to Dodge Park Golf Course. I am glad CB is thinking big and pursuing this project.
ita wrote: Thu Aug 25, 2022 4:13 pm
I just read in the MBJ that a cohort from CB, including the CB Chamber and other municipal institutions, Google, and IWCC reps, visited DC to meet with members of Congress from Iowa and Nebraska and US DOT to talk about regional issues like housing and workforce. It sounds like the bulk of their conversations, however, revolved around the multimodal streetcar bridge to Dodge Park Golf Course. I am glad CB is thinking big and pursuing this project.
I am too. As great as I think the streetcar is for Omaha... CB could really ride a huge wave with jumping in on this.
Update from the City. Some interesting updates that may affect the final routing.
Streetcar Route to be Approved in September
(August 17, 2022)
The Omaha Streetcar Authority (OSA) is expected to approve the streetcar route at its September meeting.
Several revisions of the route, also referred to as the alignment, are being finalized by HDR and will be presented to the OSA for approval.
The current route takes the streetcar over Interstate 480 on Farnam and Harney. Discussions are underway with the Nebraska Department of Transportation to share the cost of modifying the bridges for the streetcar. The cost of the bridge modifications prompted HDR to look at additional options.
Four alternatives to the original recommended route have been developed that would use only the Farnam Street bridge to cross Interstate 480.
HDR is also looking at the east end of the route and opportunities to use 8th Street in addition to 10th Street to make the Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and Lewis and Clark Landing more accessible to riders.
OSA President Jay Noddle and Vice-President Bob Stubbe both suggested the route remain on Farnam and Harney Street couplet.
“This is part of all the documents approved by the City Council and other public information, and it will have less impact on parking. I have serious reservations about deviating from the Farnam-Harney couplet,” said Stubbe.
OSA interim Director Rick Gustafson also told the board that potential locations for the streetcar’s vehicle maintenance facility have been identified for consideration by the board.
The next OSA meeting is September 19th at 1:30pm in the Legislative Chambers at 1819 Farnam.
ita wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:47 pm
Update from the City. Some interesting updates that may affect the final routing.
“This is part of all the documents approved by the City Council and other public information, and it will have less impact on parking. I have serious reservations about deviating from the Farnam-Harney couplet,” said Stubbe.
Wait, we are building a streetcar in a dense area... What impact to parking are we talking about here? If it's those small business on street spots, OK. But anything else I feel like it should be "eff-em". We have more than enough parking, but a real shortage of good transit in Omaha...
I really wanted the Farnam contra-flow option. They since went away from that, but maybe with it apparent it'll be a real b1tch to make two streetcar bridges, maybe they will go back to that?
Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Sep 06, 2022 5:28 pm
I really wanted the Farnam contra-flow option. They since went away from that, but maybe with it apparent it'll be a real b1tch to make two streetcar bridges, maybe they will go back to that?
It might happen, based on this last update. Seems like we are getting something new every time the streetcar board meets, so at least we are getting consistent updates. I wonder if they would redraw the boundary lines of the streetcar TIF district; the northern line would move down a block. Anyway, wait around for 9/19; they are deciding the route at that meeting.
For everyone's info, here is the City's webpage for the streetcar authority updates. Next Monday is a big day with the determination of the route happening at that meeting, so if the news outlets do not report right away, this page should have the info.
ita wrote: Mon Sep 12, 2022 9:44 pm
For everyone's info, here is the City's webpage for the streetcar authority updates. Next Monday is a big day with the determination of the route happening at that meeting, so if the news outlets do not report right away, this page should have the info.
ita wrote: Mon Sep 12, 2022 9:44 pm
For everyone's info, here is the City's webpage for the streetcar authority updates. Next Monday is a big day with the determination of the route happening at that meeting, so if the news outlets do not report right away, this page should have the info.
Thanks for posting the timeline. You do a lot of legwork and it's always appreciated. If you would not have posted this I would have still been under the impression that streetcar construction was supposed to start about the same time as the Mutual tower. Two years (24-26) seems like a pretty tight schedule for laying that much track, testing, and implementation. It will be interesting for sure.
Days before its September meeting, the Omaha Street Car Authority has released its route recommendations for the soon-to-be-built downtown streetcar.
The design differs from the original concept.
According to a draft proposal, west of 10th Street would utilize Farnam Street between 42nd Street and Turner Boulevard and a Farnam/Harney Street couplet between Turner Boulevard and 10th Street.
East of 10th Street would include a clockwise loop route along 10th to Cass, south to Capitol, east to 8th, and south to Farnam.
According to the OSA proposal, "the recommendation is based on the improved streetcar operational flexibility that this alternative would provide, reduced vehicular delay impact, connectivity to recent developments in the Riverfront area, CHI Center, and newly developed capital district."
It also allows for a future north extension along 10th Street.
Here are some other highlights:
Track Length: 6.16 miles
Streetcar Runtime: About 30 minutes per round trip
Required Vehicle Fleet Size: Four vehicles
Pedestrian-Streetcar: 17 crosswalk-streetcar conflict points
Average Traffic Delay with Streetcar: 15 seconds
Average Traffic Delay (special events): 25 seconds
If you map it out, the 'loop' goes by Lot A and down to the northeast side of the Mercantile. I think this is awesome as it may further encourage some long standing development sites like Lot A and the wedge south of I-480. Also, I am glad they are utilizing two bridges over us-75.
Thanks for posting that. To piggyback, here is the formal recommendation with summary of everything the streetcar authority has considered in choosing a route.
In a big step for the streetcar, Omaha officials approved the initial route stretching from the Riverfront to 42nd street.
The route runs along Farnam Street, then loops around the Chi Health Center and Riverfront to address traffic concerns.
As the project moves forward, Omaha's Streetcar Authority is getting more public input.
A business owner with a loading dock spoke about his concerns that the streetcar could interrupt his clients during business hours.
Some people are also still concerned about how the streetcar is supposed to share space with bikes, cars and pedestrians.
Omaha Streetcar Authority President Jay Noddle said the group supports integrating with a permanent bike lane downtown and finding safe ways to share the space.
A permanent bike lane is an issue the city council is taking up Tuesday.
For now, the streetcar supports bikes and finding a safe way to share the road with other modes of transportation.
Officials also proposed the car's dimensions: 82 feet in length, 8 feet, 8 inches wide, and a load capacity of 13 tons.
Noddle said that'll give designers a better picture of how to create one and present that to the city later down the line.
Here's the proposed car's specs that the board was working off of. If it's the 82 footer, it's a three module model.
Molly Hudson
On Monday, the recommendation for a revised streetcar route was given the green light.
The previous route would have used 10th Street up to Cass. But after reviewing the route and new developments downtown, the Omaha Streetcar Authority board took another look.
"We noted some challenges with that alignment and for the study, one of which is that alignment did not get close to the Riverfront development," Nick Stadem of HDR engineering said.
The major change is the route will go north on 10th to Cass Street and then loop back to Capitol Avenue. "At which point it goes to the east on Capitol, down to 8th, runs down 8th to Farnam and then loops back and heads west on Farnam," Stadem said.
The board believes this will allow easier access to the Riverfront amenities
In a big step for the streetcar, Omaha officials approved the initial route stretching from the Riverfront to 42nd street.
The route runs along Farnam Street, then loops around the Chi Health Center and Riverfront to address traffic concerns.
As the project moves forward, Omaha's Streetcar Authority is getting more public input.
A business owner with a loading dock spoke about his concerns that the streetcar could interrupt his clients during business hours.
Some people are also still concerned about how the streetcar is supposed to share space with bikes, cars and pedestrians.
Omaha Streetcar Authority President Jay Noddle said the group supports integrating with a permanent bike lane downtown and finding safe ways to share the space.
A permanent bike lane is an issue the city council is taking up Tuesday.
For now, the streetcar supports bikes and finding a safe way to share the road with other modes of transportation.
Officials also proposed the car's dimensions: 82 feet in length, 8 feet, 8 inches wide, and a load capacity of 13 tons.
Noddle said that'll give designers a better picture of how to create one and present that to the city later down the line.
Here's the proposed car's specs that the board was working off of. If it's the 82 footer, it's a three module model.
ita wrote: Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:19 pm
Here's the proposed car's specs that the board was working off of. If it's the 82 footer, it's a three module model.
ita wrote: Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:19 pm
Here's the proposed car's specs that the board was working off of. If it's the 82 footer, it's a three module model.
Siemens S70/S700 fit those dimensions. The S700 literature mentions off-wire possibilities, specifically for an install in Charlotte.
Nice find. Siemens seems to be the leader in streetcar production in North America. One of the positives of Omaha's delay in implementing the streetcar is benefitting from next generation technology and engineering. Being able to have off wire operation, even part way, should help with maintenance and infrastructure costs; though it seems to limit operational speed, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
nebport5 wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 3:19 pm
I hope they don't paint the cars ORBT's Orange. I can't help but think of a busload of inmates on their way to pick up trash.
I haven't even though about streetcar aesthetics. Do we need to have a vote on streetcar colors? I am wanting something bright since Omaha drivers don't pay attention. Highlighter yellow, anyone?
nebport5 wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 3:19 pm
I hope they don't paint the cars ORBT's Orange. I can't help but think of a busload of inmates on their way to pick up trash.
I haven't even though about streetcar aesthetics. Do we need to have a vote on streetcar colors? I am wanting something bright since Omaha drivers don't pay attention. Highlighter yellow, anyone?
nebport5 wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 3:19 pm
I hope they don't paint the cars ORBT's Orange. I can't help but think of a busload of inmates on their way to pick up trash.
I haven't even though about streetcar aesthetics. Do we need to have a vote on streetcar colors? I am wanting something bright since Omaha drivers don't pay attention. Highlighter yellow, anyone?
nebport5 wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 3:19 pm
I hope they don't paint the cars ORBT's Orange. I can't help but think of a busload of inmates on their way to pick up trash.
I haven't even though about streetcar aesthetics. Do we need to have a vote on streetcar colors? I am wanting something bright since Omaha drivers don't pay attention. Highlighter yellow, anyone?
Neon green and it glows in the dark at night.
As long as it isn’t Husker red
now that you mention it, i wouldn't be surprised if it were.
nebport5 wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 3:19 pm
I hope they don't paint the cars ORBT's Orange. I can't help but think of a busload of inmates on their way to pick up trash.
I haven't even though about streetcar aesthetics. Do we need to have a vote on streetcar colors? I am wanting something bright since Omaha drivers don't pay attention. Highlighter yellow, anyone?
Neon green and it glows in the dark at night.
I am all for glow in the dark, but Athomsfere's suggestion of purple would be a more tasteful choice. Purple would stand out against and jazz up the mostly neutral palette of the urban core.
Athomsfere wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:15 pm That color is #3D30E1 BTW, and I think the colors work great! Maybe too close to some of the Twin Cities colors though.
I am slightly color blind with blues and purples, but it kind of reminds me of this combination of colors. I think this combo would look nice on the streetcar:
After seeing how many people showed up for the symphony last Sunday at GLM I can't help but think this new route is definitely the way to go. As far as streetcar design and colors go I do firmly believe the most elegance can be found in simplicity. I prefer lighter shades like white or silver with accents to make it pop. It should say sleek, modern, and efficient. Think along the lines of Dallas Cowboy or Las Vegas Raider uniforms. If they decide to go dark I would say something along the lines of Seattle Seahawks colors.
omahahawk wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:24 pm
After seeing how many people showed up for the symphony last Sunday at GLM I can't help but think this new route is definitely the way to go. As far as streetcar design and colors go I do firmly believe the most elegance can be found in simplicity. I prefer lighter shades like white or silver with accents to make it pop. It should say sleek, modern, and efficient. Think along the lines of Dallas Cowboy or Las Vegas Raider uniforms. If they decide to go dark I would say something along the lines of Seattle Seahawks colors.
Being not much of a sportsball guy, none of those colors mean anything to me. I also don't think elegance and American football belong in the same train of thought, but **shrugs**.
I'd have no gripes with blue either, although I prefer the purple because purple gets so much less love.
One of the renderings does have red(perhaps not Husker Red), maybe a brighter lower my insurance premium sort of red. Hard pass on any highlighter color. I like the idea of purple as long as it's not Barney purple . Of course, I wonder if there's any plan to wrap the cars in advertising which may largely negate this consideration.
KETV interviews with Jay, Cencic, and Steve Jensen about public transportation and the streetcar (note that they were done before Monday's Streetcar board meeting):
ita wrote: Wed Sep 21, 2022 7:42 pm
KETV interviews with Jay, Cencic, and Steve Jensen about public transportation and the streetcar (note that they were done before Monday's Streetcar board meeting):
Louie wrote: Wed Sep 21, 2022 11:33 pm
Woah when did 2 years get tacked on to the start date?
To me the question reads as opening. Start time is such a vague question. Start what? Construction or operation? But the 'still' to me implies operation.
omahahawk wrote: Tue Sep 20, 2022 9:24 pm
After seeing how many people showed up for the symphony last Sunday at GLM I can't help but think this new route is definitely the way to go. As far as streetcar design and colors go I do firmly believe the most elegance can be found in simplicity. I prefer lighter shades like white or silver with accents to make it pop. It should say sleek, modern, and efficient. Think along the lines of Dallas Cowboy or Las Vegas Raider uniforms. If they decide to go dark I would say something along the lines of Seattle Seahawks colors.
Being not much of a sportsball guy, none of those colors mean anything to me. I also don't think elegance and American football belong in the same train of thought, but **shrugs**.
I'd have no gripes with blue either, although I prefer the purple because purple gets so much less love.
lol...I get ya. Elegance in football relative to anything else is a whole other discussion. My point is though is that all the stuff coming online whether it be downtown or anywhere else along the street car corridor is really turning a page in the evolution of Omaha. We only get one chance to do this thing and I really want to see it done right and from all appearance the city really seems to be on the right track, no pun intended. The new DT parks, Millworks, Mutual building, and Blackstone development are all really top notch. They deserve a streetcar system that is equally top notch.
nebport5 wrote: Wed Sep 21, 2022 1:59 am
One of the renderings does have red(perhaps not Husker Red), maybe a brighter lower my insurance premium sort of red. Hard pass on any highlighter color. I like the idea of purple as long as it's not Barney purple . Of course, I wonder if there's any plan to wrap the cars in advertising which may largely negate this consideration.
RE: advertising on the streetcars..... I would hope not. If it would really make that much difference in funding for this project then I would be OK with it. Ultimately though, I think it can and should be done without it.
Louie wrote: Wed Sep 21, 2022 11:33 pm
Woah when did 2 years get tacked on to the start date?
To me the question reads as opening. Start time is such a vague question. Start what? Construction or operation? But the 'still' to me implies operation.
I saw it as the questions were over and Jay was just on auto-pilot when that question came out. But it made me chuckle.
. Of course, I wonder if there's any plan to wrap the cars in advertising which may largely negate this consideration.
