Report Title:
Fixed Rail Authority
Description:
Appropriates $300,000 to UH to (1) conduct review of studies on fixed rail transit; (2) serve as information clearinghouse for transit technologies; (3) examine administrative structures to plan, develop, finance, and operate public transit in Hawaii. Report by 12/20/2004 plus proposed legislation for 2005 session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1746 |
TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to fixed rail transit.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in light of our State's undeniable transportation needs, the aging of Hawaii's population, continuing concerns about urban sprawl, dependence on fossil fuel-burning motor vehicles, and the economics of public transport, fixed rail is a viable solution. Virtually every major city in the world has a rail system. In the United States, huge federal subsidies are available for the planning, design, construction, and operation of transit programs. Nonetheless, Honolulu has the dubious distinction of being the only city to have turned down federal financing of rail a total of three times.
The rejections had legitimate roots. The last transit proposal was the wrong size. The elevated design was too hard to look at. It was in the wrong place. It used primitive technology. It depended too much on a regressive system of financing. It did not fully serve key areas: the Honolulu international airport, Waikiki, Ala Moana Center, and other key activity generators.
However, the State and the city and county of Honolulu have another opportunity now as both sides begin to engage in dialog again on the topic of fixed rail transit. We can build on our own experiences and those of other cities that have built rail projects, and take advantage of new technologies and design principles that can help lower costs and improve ridership. At the same time, the State and the city and county of Honolulu must also build for the future, using at least a thirty-year time horizon.
In more concrete terms, to control operating costs, especially labor, fixed rail must be an automated system. This is necessary not just for train control, but also for ticketing, fare collection, and other transit operations. Other cities have found that roving ticket inspectors can also increase security for passengers.
In order to have automation, the system needs to have grade separation, that is, the trains must operate on an exclusive, dedicated right of way. Grade separation also will improve performance and reliability and reduce travel times for passengers. This may require building an elevated guideway structure. There are locations where an elevated guideway makes sense, such as over the H-1 freeway. This location would not only afford spectacular views from inside the train, but would also provide the necessary buffering to reduce the visual and other impacts of a rapid-transit system.
For a fixed rail system to be successful, it needs to be fully integrated, not just with the bus system and other transportation modes, but with overall land-use and development strategies around stations along the guideway, within the transport corridor, and across the metropolitan region. Joint development of offices, retail business, government offices, schools, hospitals, other important services, and housing in and around the transit stations need to be encouraged.
Fixed rail transit provides an opportunity to concentrate development as thousands of passengers come and go each day representing real business opportunities for many in our community. Vibrant transit stations and parking structures with not just newsstands and florists, but also many other small businesses — coffee shops, fruit stands, bakeries, dry-cleaners, opticians, and other services — would also enhance convenience and quality of living for our residents.
Transit guideways also function as an infrastructure corridor, one in which electrical transmission lines and substations are aligned, along with other important services such as telephone, cable, water, and wastewater, integrated into the system design.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii, department of urban and regional planning to:
(1) Conduct a comprehensive review of studies in Hawaii and on the mainland related to fixed rail transit;
(2) Serve as a clearinghouse for information related to transit technologies (bus, light rail, advanced guideway technologies); and
(3) Examine administrative structures (transit authorities, development agencies, contracted services, etc.) for the planning, development, financing, and operation of public transit in Hawaii.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the University of Hawaii, department of urban and regional planning to:
(1) Conduct a comprehensive review of studies in Hawaii and on the mainland related to fixed rail transit;
(2) Serve as a clearinghouse for information related to transit technologies (bus, light rail, advanced guideway technologies); and
(3) Examine administrative structures (transit authorities, development agencies, contracted services, etc.) for the planning, development, financing, and operation of public transit in Hawaii.
SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. The University of Hawaii shall submit a final report on section 2(1) through (3) to the governor and the legislature no later than December 20, 2004. The report shall include:
(1) Recommendations as to specific and concrete steps to be taken by the State to further the implementation of a fixed rail transit on the island of Oahu; and
(2) Any necessary proposed legislation to implement the recommendations, to be submitted to the legislature for its consideration and passage during the regular session of 2005.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; except that sections 2 and 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2004.
INTRODUCED BY: |
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