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Alternative 1

Light Rail Transit from Lutherville to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) via York Road/Greenmount Avenue

DESCRIPTION

Alternative 1 is a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line between the Lutherville Light Rail Station and University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) via Downtown Towson, Waverly, and Old Town. This alignment begins in Lutherville, travels through Towson on York Road, continuing south on York Road and Greenmount Avenue, takes the Orleans Street bridge to connect to St. Paul Street, and concludes in Downtown Baltimore at UMMC. This alternative travels on surface streets and below-grade tunnel and operates almost exclusively in dedicated guideway, with tunnels from Fairmount Avenue to Stevenson Lane and from Cold Spring Lane to Ensor Street.

Key Characteristics

Icon for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Light Rail Transit
Icon for Transit Distance 11.6 miles
Icon for Number of Stations 21 stations
Icon for Only Option Provides service between Lutherville and UMMC in Downtown Baltimore
Icon for Longest Alternative Similar alignment to Alternative 2 (BRT) and the existing CityLink Red bus route
Icon for Transit Only Highest number of future jobs accessible by transit within 45 minutes for households in the corridor

Areas Served

Serves Lutherville
Serves Towson
Serves Towson University/St. Joseph's Med. Ctr
Does not Serve Hillendale
Serves Belvedere Square
Serves Govans
Does not Serve Good Samaritan Hospital
Does not Serve Northwood
Serves Waverly
Does not Serve Johns Hopkins University
Serves North & Greenmount
Does not Serve Penn Station
Does not Serve Midtown/UB
Serves Old Town
Does not Serve Mt. Vernon
Serves Charles Center
Serves University of Maryland Medical Center
Does not Serve Inner Harbor
Does not Serve Harbor East
Does not Serve Port Covington

Theme

Measure of Effectiveness

Values

Comparison

Reliability

Percent of dedicated or separated guideway

96%

GOOD

Fixed or Flexible Guideway    

FIXED

FIXED

Travel Time Savings

Transit travel time savings between Towson and Downtown Baltimore (minutes)

11

BEST

Access

Households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

3,700

BETTER

Student population within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

1,100

BETTER

Future jobs within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

20,200

BETTER

Connections

Connections to rail stations, frequent bus routes, and locally operated transit routes

23

BETTER

Additional future jobs accessible by transit within 45 minutes

38,000

BEST

Equity 1

All transit-critical populations within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

11,400

BETTER

Cost

Capital cost ($ millions)

4,000

$$$

Development Opportunity

Transit-Oriented Development and Opportunity Zones within 1/2 mile of station (acres)

1,200

BETTER

Implementation

Implementation time (years)

7-9

MIDDLE

Bridge and Tunnel Complexity

Medium

MEDIUM

Ridership

Projected daily boardings in 2045, per mile

1,700

BETTER

Sustainability

Zero-car households within ½ mile of a station, per mile

1,200

BETTER

1 Sum of low-income, minority, limited English proficiency, and 65+ populations, people with disabilities, and zero-car households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile. People/households may be counted more than once if they're part of multiple transit-critical groups.

Alternative 2

Bus Rapid Transit from Lutherville to University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) via York Road/Greenmount Avenue

DESCRIPTION

Alternative 2 is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line between the Lutherville Light Rail Station and University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) via Downtown Towson, Waverly, and Old Town. This alignment begins in Lutherville, travels through Towson on York Road, continues south on York Road and Greenmount Avenue to Hillen and Gay Streets, and concludes in Downtown Baltimore UMMC. This alternative travels on surface streets and operates almost exclusively in dedicated guideway, with mixed traffic between the Lutherville Light Rail Station to York Road (on Ridgely Road) and a short segment on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Key Characteristics

Icon for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Bus Rapid Transit
Icon for Transit Distance 11.5 miles
Icon for Number of Stations 33 stations
Icon for Longest Alternative Similar alignment to Alternative 1 (LRT) and the existing CityLink Red bus route

Areas Served

Serves Lutherville
Serves Towson
Serves Towson University/St. Joseph's Med. Ctr
Does not Serve Hillendale
Serves Belvedere Square
Serves Govans
Does not Serve Good Samaritan Hospital
Does not Serve Northwood
Serves Waverly
Does not Serve Johns Hopkins University
Serves North & Greenmount
Does not Serve Penn Station
Does not Serve Midtown/UB
Serves Old Town
Does not Serve Mt. Vernon
Serves Charles Center
Serves University of Maryland Medical Center
Does not Serve Inner Harbor
Does not Serve Harbor East
Does not Serve Port Covington

Theme

Measure of Effectiveness

Values

Comparison

Reliability

Percent of dedicated or separated guideway

97%

BETTER

Fixed or Flexible Guideway    

FLEXIBLE

FLEXIBLE

Travel Time Savings

Transit travel time savings between Towson and Downtown Baltimore (minutes)

7

BETTER

Access

Households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

3,800

BETTER

Student population within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

1,100

BETTER

Future jobs within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

20,900

BEST

Connections

Connections to rail stations, frequent bus routes, and locally operated transit routes

24

BEST

Additional future jobs accessible by transit within 45 minutes

26,000

BETTER

Equity 1

All transit-critical populations within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

11,800

BETTER

Cost

Capital cost ($ millions)

600

$

Development Opportunity

Transit-Oriented Development and Opportunity Zones within 1/2 mile of station (acres)

1,100

GOOD

Implementation

Implementation time (years)

6-8

SHORTEST

Bridge and Tunnel Complexity

N/A

N/A

Ridership

Projected daily boardings in 2045, per mile

1,800

BETTER

Sustainability

Zero-car households within ½ mile of a station, per mile

1,200

BETTER

1 Sum of low-income, minority, limited English proficiency, and 65+ populations, people with disabilities, and zero-car households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile. People/households may be counted more than once if they're part of multiple transit-critical groups.

Alternative 3

Bus Rapid Transit from Towson to Harbor East, via York Road/ Greenmount Avenue

DESCRIPTION

Alternative 3 is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line between Towson and the Inner Harbor via York Road and St. Paul Street. The alignment begins in Towson, travels on York Road and Greenmount Avenue before turning west to merge with St. Paul Street. At Pratt Street it turns southeast before concluding at Harbor East. This alternative travels entirely on surface streets and operates exclusively in dedicated guideway.

Key Characteristics

Icon for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Bus Rapid Transit
Icon for Transit Distance 9.2 miles
Icon for Number of Stations 28 stations
Icon for Longest Alternative Provides the greatest access to transit-critical populations per mile, students per mile, and jobs per mile
Icon for Longest Alternative Lowest total Capital Cost

Areas Served

Does not Serve Lutherville
Serves Towson
Serves Towson University/St. Joseph's Med. Ctr
Does not Serve Hillendale
Serves Belvedere Square
Serves Govans
Does not Serve Good Samaritan Hospital
Does not Serve Northwood
Serves Waverly
Does not Serve Johns Hopkins University
Serves North & Greenmount
Serves Penn Station
Serves Midtown/UB
Does not Serve Old Town
Serves Mt. Vernon
Serves Charles Center
Does not Serve University of Maryland Medical Center
Serves Inner Harbor
Serves Harbor East
Does not Serve Port Covington

Theme

Measure of Effectiveness

Values

Comparison

Reliability

Percent of dedicated or separated guideway

98%

BETTER

Fixed or Flexible Guideway    

FLEXIBLE

FLEXIBLE

Travel Time Savings

Transit travel time savings between Towson and Downtown Baltimore (minutes)

7

BETTER

Access

Households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

4,700

BEST

Student population within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

1,200

BEST

Future jobs within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

26,200

BEST

Connections

Connections to rail stations, frequent bus routes, and locally operated transit routes

23

BETTER

Additional future jobs accessible by transit within 45 minutes

19,000

BETTER

Equity 1

All transit-critical populations within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

13,600

BEST

Cost

Capital cost ($ millions)

500

$

Development Opportunity

Transit-Oriented Development and Opportunity Zones within 1/2 mile of station (acres)

1,000

GOOD

Implementation

Implementation time (years)

6-8

SHORTEST

Bridge and Tunnel Complexity

N/A

N/A

Ridership

Projected daily boardings in 2045, per mile

2,100

BEST

Sustainability

Zero-car households within ½ mile of a station, per mile

1,500

BETTER

1 Sum of low-income, minority, limited English proficiency, and 65+ populations, people with disabilities, and zero-car households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile. People/households may be counted more than once if they're part of multiple transit-critical groups.

Alternative 4

Heavy Rail Transit (Subway) from Towson to Port Covington, via York Road/ Greenmount Avenue

DESCRIPTION

Alternative 4 is a Heavy Rail Transit (HRT) line between Towson and Port Covington via Towson University and Penn Station. The alignment begins at Towson and follows York Road before heading west following 33rd Street to then follow St. Paul Street, terminating at Port Covington. This alternative travels in exclusive right-of-way in below-grade tunnels for the entire length.

Key Characteristics

Icon for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Heavy Rail Transit
Icon for Transit Distance 10.5 miles
Icon for Number of Stations 9 stations
Icon for Longest Alternative Only Heavy Rail Transit Alternative
Icon for Longest Alternative Greatest reliability with 100% of dedicated or separated guideway
Icon for Longest Alternative Fewest number of stations
Icon for Longest Alternative Shortest travel time

Areas Served

Does not Serve Lutherville
Serves Towson
Serves Towson University/St. Joseph's Med. Ctr
Does not Serve Hillendale
Serves Belvedere Square
Does not Serve Govans
Does not Serve Good Samaritan Hospital
Does not Serve Northwood
Does not Serve Waverly
Serves Johns Hopkins University
Does not Serve North & Greenmount
Serves Penn Station
Does not Serve Midtown/UB
Does not Serve Old Town
Does not Serve Mt. Vernon
Serves Charles Center
Does not Serve University of Maryland Medical Center
Does not Serve Inner Harbor
Does not Serve Harbor East
Serves Port Covington

Theme

Measure of Effectiveness

Values

Comparison

Reliability

Percent of dedicated or separated guideway

100%

BEST

Fixed or Flexible Guideway    

FIXED

FIXED

Travel Time Savings

Transit travel time savings between Towson and Downtown Baltimore (minutes)

14

BEST

Access

Households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

2,800

GOOD

Student population within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

500

GOOD

Future jobs within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

19,400

GOOD

Connections

Connections to rail stations, frequent bus routes, and locally operated transit routes

19

GOOD

Additional future jobs accessible by transit within 45 minutes

6,000

GOOD

Equity 1

All transit-critical populations within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

6,700

GOOD

Cost

Capital cost ($ millions)

6,200

$$$

Development Opportunity

Transit-Oriented Development and Opportunity Zones within 1/2 mile of station (acres)

1,100

GOOD

Implementation

Implementation time (years)

10-12

LONGEST

Bridge and Tunnel Complexity

High

HIGH

Ridership

Projected daily boardings in 2045, per mile

1,100

GOOD

Sustainability

Zero-car households within ½ mile of a station, per mile

700

GOOD

1 Sum of low-income, minority, limited English proficiency, and 65+ populations, people with disabilities, and zero-car households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile. People/households may be counted more than once if they're part of multiple transit-critical groups.

Alternative 5

Bus Rapid Transit from Towson to Port Covington, via York Road/ Greenmount Avenue

DESCRIPTION

Alternative 5 is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line between Towson and Port Covington via York Road and Penn Station. This alignment begins at Townson and travels along York and Greenmount Roads before connecting west on 33rd Street to join St. Paul and Charles Streets one-way pair to terminate at Port Covington. This alternative travels entirely on surface streets and operates almost exclusively in dedicated guideway, with limited mixed-traffic downtown near the Inner Harbor and beneath the I-95 viaduct.

Key Characteristics

Icon for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Bus Rapid Transit
Icon for Transit Distance 10.4 miles
Icon for Number of Stations 30 stations
Icon for Longest Alternative Similar alignment to Alternative 4 (HRT)
Icon for Longest Alternative Highest projected daily boardings in 2045, per mile

Areas Served

Does not Serve Lutherville
Serves Towson
Serves Towson University/St. Joseph's Med. Ctr
Does not Serve Hillendale
Serves Belvedere Square
Serves Govans
Does not Serve Good Samaritan Hospital
Does not Serve Northwood
Serves Waverly
Serves Johns Hopkins University
Does not Serve North & Greenmount
Serves Penn Station
Serves Midtown/UB
Does not Serve Old Town
Serves Mt. Vernon
Serves Charles Center
Does not Serve University of Maryland Medical Center
Serves Inner Harbor
Does not Serve Harbor East
Serves Port Covington

Theme

Measure of Effectiveness

Values

Comparison

Reliability

Percent of dedicated or separated guideway

97%

BETTER

Fixed or Flexible Guideway    

FLEXIBLE

FLEXIBLE

Travel Time Savings

Transit travel time savings between Towson and Downtown Baltimore (minutes)

7

BETTER

Access

Households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

4,500

BEST

Student population within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

1,000

BEST

Future jobs within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

24,500

BETTER

Connections

Connections to rail stations, frequent bus routes, and locally operated transit routes

21

GOOD

Additional future jobs accessible by transit within 45 minutes

8,000

BETTER

Equity 1

All transit-critical populations within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

11,900

BETTER

Cost

Capital cost ($ millions)

600

$

Development Opportunity

Transit-Oriented Development and Opportunity Zones within 1/2 mile of station (acres)

1,400

BEST

Implementation

Implementation time (years)

6-8

SHORTEST

Bridge and Tunnel Complexity

N/A

N/A

Ridership

Projected daily boardings in 2045, per mile

2,200

BEST

Sustainability

Zero-car households within ½ mile of a station, per mile

1,300

BETTER

1 Sum of low-income, minority, limited English proficiency, and 65+ populations, people with disabilities, and zero-car households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile. People/households may be counted more than once if they're part of multiple transit-critical groups.

Alternative 6

Light Rail Transit from Lutherville to Otterbein, via Goucher Boulevard, Loch Raven Boulevard

DESCRIPTION

Alternative 6 is a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line between the Lutherville Light Rail Station and the Inner Harbor via Loch Raven Boulevard and Penn Station. The alignment starts at Lutherville Light Rail Station and continues southeast on Goucher Boulevard to Loch Raven Boulevard, continuing south to 25th Street to connect to the St. Paul/Charles Streets one-way pair to terminate in Downtown in Otterbein. This alternative travels entirely on surface streets and operates exclusively in dedicated guideway.

Key Characteristics

Icon for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Light Rail Transit
Icon for Transit Distance 12.5 miles
Icon for Number of Stations 25 stations
Icon for Longest Alternative Connects Lutherville, Towson, Downtown, and Inner Harbor via Loch Raven

Areas Served

Serves Lutherville
Serves Towson
Does not Serve Towson University/St. Joseph's Med. Ctr
Serves Hillendale
Does not Serve Belvedere Square
Does not Serve Govans
Serves Good Samaritan Hospital
Serves Northwood
Does not Serve Waverly
Does not Serve Johns Hopkins University
Does not Serve North & Greenmount
Serves Penn Station
Serves Midtown/UB
Does not Serve Old Town
Serves Mt. Vernon
Serves Charles Center
Does not Serve University of Maryland Medical Center
Serves Inner Harbor
Does not Serve Harbor East
Does not Serve Port Covington

Theme

Measure of Effectiveness

Values

Comparison

Reliability

Percent of dedicated or separated guideway

98%

BETTER

Fixed or Flexible Guideway    

FIXED

FIXED

Travel Time Savings

Transit travel time savings between Towson and Downtown Baltimore (minutes)

3

GOOD

Access

Households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

3,800

BETTER

Student population within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

900

GOOD

Future jobs within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

18,200

BETTER

Connections

Connections to rail stations, frequent bus routes, and locally operated transit routes

23

BETTER

Additional future jobs accessible by transit within 45 minutes

11,000

GOOD

Equity 1

All transit-critical populations within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

11,600

BETTER

Cost

Capital cost ($ millions)

1,300

$$

Development Opportunity

Transit-Oriented Development and Opportunity Zones within 1/2 mile of station (acres)

1,200

BETTER

Implementation

Implementation time (years)

7-9

MIDDLE

Bridge and Tunnel Complexity

Medium

MEDIUM

Ridership

Projected daily boardings in 2045, per mile

1,400

BETTER

Sustainability

Zero-car households within ½ mile of a station, per mile

1,100

BETTER

1 Sum of low-income, minority, limited English proficiency, and 65+ populations, people with disabilities, and zero-car households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile. People/households may be counted more than once if they're part of multiple transit-critical groups.

Alternative 7

Bus Rapid Transit from Towson to Harbor East, via Joppa Road, Loch Raven Boulevard

DESCRIPTION

Alternative 7 is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line between Towson and the Inner Harbor via Loch Raven Boulevard. The alignment begins at Towson and travels along Joppa Road to connect with Loch Raven Boulevard to 33rd Street, then using the St Paul/Charles Streets one-way pair to terminate at Harbor East. This alternative travels entirely on surface streets and operates exclusively in dedicated guideway. It is the longest alternative and has the greatest number of stations.

Key Characteristics

Icon for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Bus Rapid Transit
Icon for Transit Distance 12.6 miles
Icon for Number of Stations 32 stations
Icon for Longest Alternative Provides access to the largest number of transit-critical populations overall
Icon for Longest Alternative Only alternative to serve the Joppa/Loch Raven area

Areas Served

Does not Serve Lutherville
Serves Towson
Does not Serve Towson University/St. Joseph's Med. Ctr
Serves Hillendale
Does not Serve Belvedere Square
Does not Serve Govans
Serves Good Samaritan Hospital
Serves Northwood
Serves Waverly
Does not Serve Johns Hopkins University
Does not Serve North & Greenmount
Serves Penn Station
Serves Midtown/UB
Does not Serve Old Town
Serves Mt. Vernon
Serves Charles Center
Does not Serve University of Maryland Medical Center
Serves Inner Harbor
Serves Harbor East
Does not Serve Port Covington

Theme

Measure of Effectiveness

Values

Comparison

Reliability

Percent of dedicated or separated guideway

100%

BEST

Fixed or Flexible Guideway    

FLEXIBLE

FLEXIBLE

Travel Time Savings

Transit travel time savings between Towson and Downtown Baltimore (minutes)

0

GOOD

Access

Households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

4,300

BETTER

Student population within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

1,000

BETTER

Future jobs within 1/2 mile of a station per mile

21,000

BETTER

Connections

Connections to rail stations, frequent bus routes, and locally operated transit routes

22

GOOD

Additional future jobs accessible by transit within 45 minutes

22,000

GOOD

Equity 1

All transit-critical populations within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile

13,000

BETTER

Cost

Capital cost ($ millions)

600

$

Development Opportunity

Transit-Oriented Development and Opportunity Zones within 1/2 mile of station (acres)

1,200

BETTER

Implementation

Implementation time (years)

6-8

SHORTEST

Bridge and Tunnel Complexity

N/A

N/A

Ridership

Projected daily boardings in 2045, per mile

1,400

BETTER

Sustainability

Zero-car households within ½ mile of a station, per mile

1,200

BEST

1 Sum of low-income, minority, limited English proficiency, and 65+ populations, people with disabilities, and zero-car households within 1/2 mile of a station, per mile. People/households may be counted more than once if they're part of multiple transit-critical groups.

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