RapidRide Corridor 1052 (Route 181)
King County Corridor 1052, a potential rapidride conversion of Route 181 currently travels from Federal Way via Auburn Station to Green River College. With the introduction of Federal Way Link extension as well as I-5 freeway access additions, Route 181 speed improvements as a RapidRide will connect Auburn and Green River College closer to Seattle and the rest of the region. In this post we'll review the corridor, Metro's planned improvements, expected ridership and estimated project costs.
Metro's summary of the potential RapidRide corridor.AlignmentRoute 181 Alignment optionsThere are two alignment areas for the RapidRide, the first in Federal Way deciding whether to serve the Federal Way Transit Center. Currently Route 181 serves the Federal Way Transit Center by deviating off S 320th Street entering the transit center for easier transfers. The Metro Connects alignment assumes this deviation is removed staying on S 320th Street, requiring westbound riders to cross the street but expediting those continuing further east.
The second alignment decision is just east of downtown Auburn deciding which of the three alignments should be used to connect to 8th St NE. The existing alignment was identified as the representative alignment. The other two potential routes on Auburn Ave and B St SW were eliminated due to no major trip generators and the fact that the alignment would serve a different market.
FrequencyExisting Route 181 frequency time table chart by dayUnlike most other routes discussed earlier, Route 181 operates with a lower infrequent weekday service of 20 minutes from 6 am to 9 am and then 30 minutes from 9 am to 10pm.
RapidRide frequency time table chart by dayTo reach RapidRide standards Metro will have to add much more additional bus trips consisting of approximately 49 service hours each weekday (53% increase). If the speed and reliability improvements are not implemented more vehicles will be needed.
Speed and ReliabilityCorridor 1052 daily bus delay mapRoute 181 existing travel time delays are concentrated in 3 areas, 1) around Federal Way Downtown along S 320 St, 2) along 15th St SW near the Outlet Collection and 3) around Auburn Station along Main St.
Comparison of travel time variability by corridor chart, with Route 181 having the highest variabilityRoute 181 has the worst variability in travel time. Currently taking anyway from 45 minutes to up to 65 minutes. The average one way trip is 54 minutes.
Proposed Transit Priority Treatments for Route 181To address these issues Metro has suggested
- Federal Way Downtown: add BAT lanes along S 320th St from Military Road S to 25th Ave S. Additionally add a Queue jump at S 320th St & Military Rd S.
- Outlet Collection: remove 15th St SW pullout stops and convert to in-lane stops. Convert curb lane to additional BAT lanes
- Auburn Station: add bus bulbs to Main Street, add BAT lanes through widening on M St SE and add eastbound BAT lane on 8th St NE
Federal Way's existing City Center Access Project will add a new S 324th Street bridge across I-5 with protected bike lanes as well as eventually add curbside HOV lanes along S 320th Street with Replacing the S 320th Street bridge over I-5 with a wider bridge and providing high occupancy vehicle lanes on S 320th Street from SR 99 to Military Road S.
Given the above improvements, the daily ridership of 2,000 would increase by 3,300 riders (157%) to 5,300 daily riders.
Stations and CostsAbove shows the proposed station locations.
The project would cost $86 million dollars with 64% for transit speed and reliability improvements, 21% for stops and stations, 13% for charging infrastructure and finally 2% for layover and terminus facilities.
ConclusionThe new east-west RapidRide connecting Federal Way to Auburn and Green River College will expedite journeys the region. The increased frequency has potential for a lot more transit riders, plus connecting with the new Federal Way Link Station for transit riders to and from Seattle. The HOV/BAT lanes will enhance the reliability of the currently delayed bus line.