DENVER | Transportation Thread

[mhays]

Bike lanes are getting progressively busier in Seattle too. The rise of scooter and bike share services is a big part, especially during the six-month peak tourist season. Bicycling seems to be increasing as well, even if commuting numbers dropped during Covid and possibly long-term due to WFH.

Driving to work is also less common in the WFH era.

[bobg]

Originally Posted by mhays

Bike lanes are getting progressively busier in Seattle too. The rise of scooter and bike share services is a big part, especially during the six-month peak tourist season. Bicycling seems to be increasing as well, even if commuting numbers dropped during Covid and possibly long-term due to WFH.

Driving to work is also less common in the WFH era.

Shared scooter and ebike growth during the summer has been pretty substantial here as well. They've been tracking it with publicly accessible data tools and it's pretty interesting to see the growth at Ridereport .

The cool part is they can use that data as a way to measure the impact of adding bike infrastructure on certain streets.

Recently DOTI used that data to alter priorities on where to put bike infrastructure (IE lot of users on unsafe streets) and sped up a protected bike lane on Blake.

The ebike/scooter share data ends up putting to bed a lot of these tired old debates, like the lanes not doing anything, or not being needed.

That same organization has also been getting individual ebike owners to voluntarily sign up to be tracked, since owner/residents may use it differently (IE are more likely to use the lanes year round). I don't think there's plans to make that data public though.

[TakeFive]

Not something you'd expect from a (city) government agency

Keep It Simple
Make it easy to understand and easy to execute. Somehow the City of Denver hit this one out of the park - it's virtually a Home Run.

Kudos from coast to coast

Per City Lab - Bloomberg News

Denver’s E-Bike Rebates Are So Hot They're Gone Within Minutes
October 13, 2022 by Whitney Bauck - City Lab

Bicycle mechanic Stephanie Fowler assembles an electric bike at Campus Cycles in Denver


Credit: Photographer: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images

City Lab with a sense of humor.

A new program in Denver offering rebates for electric bikes has become so popular, you’d think the city was giving away free Broncos tickets.

Residents this month scooped up the latest lot of 400 vouchers within minutes of them becoming available on the city’s online portal. It was the fifth round of the monthly program, which was first launched in April.

Even Grace Rink, the city’s chief climate officer who touts the program as a way to help Denver reach its climate goals and reduce air pollution, was surprised by how much of a hit the rebates would become. “We thought there would be some interest in owning e-bikes — we just had no idea it would be as popular as it has been,” Rink said.

When has The Urbanist (Seattle) ever spoken so kindly of Denver?
November 18, 2022 By Ryan Packer

The language specifically directs the county to look at Denver as a model for an e-bike rebate program. Denver, which operates a consolidated city and county government, passed a 0.25% sales and use tax increase in 2020 that directly funds something called the Climate Protection Fund. The rebates, which started earlier this year, allow consumers to receive a $400 rebate on an e-bike no matter their income level, with an additional $500 for cargo e-bikes. People who provide proof of having a lower income, including qualifying for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or other income-restricted programs, qualify for a larger rebate of $1,200.

And from Bike Portland
Report reveals what we can learn from Denver’s successful e-bike rebate program
March 6, 2023 By Taylor Griggs - Bike Portland


Photo: Bicycle Colorado

After launching its wildly successful e-bike voucher program last April, the city of Denver, Colorado has become an exemplar for why it works to give people money for electric bikes. ... Every time these vouchers have been offered, Denver residents have snatched them up like hotcakes: more than 4,700 Denver residents became e-bike owners in 2022, and an additional 860 people benefited from the latest round of vouchers offered in January.

All the urban oriented sites covered Denver's great rebate success. WaPo also carried a story.

[TakeFive]

Good News Week

Denver International Airport set record passenger traffic this summer
Aug 10, 2023 by: DJ Summers - KDVR

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver’s air travel is officially past the doldrums brought on by the global COVID pandemic.

“June 2023 ranks as the busiest month of passenger traffic ever for the airport,” reads a release. “The 6,769,608 passengers served during June eclipsed the previous top monthly total set in July 2019 by more than 35,000 passengers. June 2023 passenger volume increased 8.2% compared to June 2022 and 6.0% compared to June 2019.”

Colorado receives $501 million loan to improve I-25 express lanes between Denver and Fort Collins
Aug 9, 2023 By Sage Kelley - The Denver Gazette

It's safe to say Colorado's main thoroughfare highway that runs through the state north-to-south... I-25, between Denver and Fort Collins, sees more than 200,000 vehicles a day, with some areas stretching toward 340,000 average annual daily traffic, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

Department officials announced that its Build America Bureau has provided a $501 million in low-interest loan to the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) on behalf of CDOT as part of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, according to the release.

Who knew all those crazy named pieces were involved?

[wong21fr]

I had a late epiphany and realized that the Colfax BRT will be adding a high-frequency, all-day, branded circulator downtown along 15th & 17th that should allow passengers to transfer from Union Station or the downtown loop w/o having to take the slow-ass 16th Mall Shuttle:




With this sneaky little transit improvement, I was wondering if anyone knows if Denver is planning to install improved stations for the BRT in downtown? I doubt that downtown would get an iteration for the stations planned along Colfax:


But I was hoping that, just maybe, there is a plan to relocate the 15L Improved Stations that are being replaced to downtown:



Anyone have some information? The Colfax Corridor BRT improvements are well documented, but information on what will occur downtown is sparse asides from station locations.

[N830MH]

Imagine DIA in 2045: four new concourses, 100 more gates and way more passengers

https://coloradosun.com/2023/10/04/d...-served-today/

https://denverite.com/2023/10/04/den...-west-opening/

https://denverite.com/2023/10/04/den...ic-concourses/

[SnyderBock]

Originally Posted by N830MH

Imagine DIA in 2045: four new concourses, 100 more gates and way more passengers

https://coloradosun.com/2023/10/04/d...-served-today/

I wonder why the RTD train at the airport stops so far out from the escalators. It's so unessessary
https://denverite.com/2023/10/04/den...-west-opening/

https://denverite.com/2023/10/04/den...ic-concourses/

Does anyone know why the RTD train at the airport stops so far out from the end of the tracks?

Also, does anyone know why the airport transit system only uses one side at each station and the cars aren't as long as the doors at each station allow for, yet the airport says they can't increase their capacity? It seems they were designed, engineered and built for much higher capacity.

[bunt_q]

Originally Posted by SnyderBock

Does anyone know why the RTD train at the airport stops so far out from the end of the tracks?

The personal car and the allure of the parking garages are the devil's temptation. But nonetheless, the Bible teaches us that transit shouldn't be easy.

Romans 5:3-4
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Originally Posted by SnyderBock

Also, does anyone know why the airport transit system only uses one side at each station and the cars aren't as long as the doors at each station allow for, yet the airport says they can't increase their capacity? It seems they were designed, engineered and built for much higher capacity.

You were probably there during maintenance, which they have been doing a lot of. They normally use both sides and trains with cars covering the full length.

[N830MH]

Hi all,

DEN wants to build the pedestrian bridges from concourse A to B and C. Because they cannot build the walkway tunnel. It’s too costly and too expensive to build the tunnel.

https://denverite.com/2023/11/02/den...ges-who-knows/

Let the speculation begin!!

[Cirrus]

Story: CDOT working on several BRT corridors

Originally Posted by Colorado Department of Transportation introduces new Bus Rapid Transit program in Denver

According to CDOT, it is, "planning, designing and will build BRT routes on sections of Federal Boulevard, Colorado Boulevard and eventually Colfax Avenue east of I-225 in the Denver region."

The agency also says that work on the transit system is underway on, "CO 119/Diagonal Highway in Boulder County, and future rapid transit service is being planned on CO 7/Arapahoe Road between Boulder and Brighton."

[TakeFive]

Nice catch

Originally Posted by Cirrus

Story: CDOT working on several BRT corridors

I assume you recall your dissertation on "BRT Creep." BTW, I read your recent piece for GGW.

With the encouragement of Gov Polis, the legislature did allocate some 'seed' money for the mentioned BRT routes. It was, at the least, encouraging to tap into state funding.

I just found an updated CDOT pdf which includes some explanation and a flow chart.

Of course you recall the East Colfax BRT since we're in the third decade of planning. CDOT is a partner with RTD and Denver on this project, awaiting final approval for FTA funding which would then start construction in 2024. Virtually no "creep" on this project.

The pdf also mentions some construction along the Diagonal Highway from Boulder to Longmont starting in 2024. Afaik, this would be preliminary improvements for eventual BRT. CDOT's flow chart also shows that the NEPA process for Federal Blvd was started last year; construction is schedules to start in 2026. Also according to the flow chart CDOT will start the NEPA process in 2024 for the Colorado Blvd. This one is likely to come with controversy.

Obviously, CDOT's involvement with legislative encouragement and money is a Godsend since RTD has no money for such projects.

[PLANSIT]

BRT Updates:

East Colfax: Final Design is well underway. Making final decsions on a number of items including uncontrolled crossings, urban design, stations, etc. The funding stack is basically ready to go. RTD's contribution will be new artics (like 44 of them).

Federal: 30%/NEPA underway. Confirmation of LPA (side-running) is complete. Traffic analysis, Section 106, Station Locations, etc. all in process. CDOT has a decent chunck of change for ROW (likely at station locations) and Final Design. Still on pace for revenue service by December 31, 2029.

Colorado: Interviews for AA/NEPA/30% design took place a couple weeks ago. Should know who was selected soon. This will be an expedited process to meet project miletone goals. Determination of center-running/side-running is primary objective of AA. Still on pace for revenue service by December 31, 2029.

Far East Colfax: Led by DRCOG and will likely inclue AA and maybe NEPA/30%. This will be an extension of East Colfax BRT. RFP likely out mid-2024.

[wong21fr]

Originally Posted by PLANSIT

BRT Updates:

East Colfax: Final Design is well underway. Making final decsions on a number of items including uncontrolled crossings, urban design, stations, etc. The funding stack is basically ready to go. RTD's contribution will be new artics (like 44 of them).

Thanks PLANSIT. Any information on how far into downtown the new stations will go?

[Justanothermember]

Denver resumes Winnipeg flight and increases frequencies to other North American destinations

https://united.mediaroom.com/2024-01...n-Destinations

As Denver's largest airline, United will offer more than 500 daily departures this summer and more than 100 routes will be on mainline aircraft – the most in more than 20 years. With more than 40 new summer flights launching this year, Denver will continue to serve as a major gateway to National Parks, and new destinations in Canada.

Mountain town locations including Vail, Sun Valley, and Kalispell/Glacier will each see an additional daily nonstop flight from Denver this summer. United will also increase flying to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport with five daily nonstop flights, starting mid-May.

Nonstop, year-round service from Winnipeg will resume May 23 for the first time since 2020. The airline will also fly bigger planes more often between Edmonton and Denver.

[LooksLikeForever]

Denver's new flight to Monterrey, Mexico began this week: https://www.9news.com/article/travel...0-74a1fc1d21a3

[DenverInfill]

2023 passenger statistics are now in for DEN: 77.8 million, an 8.5 million (12.3%) increase over 2022.

News release from DEN: https://www.flydenver.com/press-rele...ecord-in-2023/

[mishko27]

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

2023 passenger statistics are now in for DEN: 77.8 million, an 8.5 million (12.3%) increase over 2022.

News release from DEN: https://www.flydenver.com/press-rele...ecord-in-2023/

I understand this is mostly domestic traffic by a great margin, but can we get more international flights? Not a single ME carrier is a joke, the fact that all we have is one flight to Tokyo and no other flights to Asia is silly. European coverage is too sparse as well (AMS? VIE? CPH?).

In any case, I did not believe we will cross the 70m mark this quickly, and yet here we are. Good for you DEN.

[LooksLikeForever]

Originally Posted by mishko27

I understand this is mostly domestic traffic by a great margin, but can we get more international flights? Not a single ME carrier is a joke, the fact that all we have is one flight to Tokyo and no other flights to Asia is silly. European coverage is too sparse as well (AMS? VIE? CPH?).

In any case, I did not believe we will cross the 70m mark this quickly, and yet here we are. Good for you DEN.

Agreed. I'm not sure what the answer is, but in an ideal world we'd have direct service to Oceania (Australia or New Zealand, perhaps Qantas or Air New Zealand?) and the Middle East (Dubai?). I'm not sure what other Asian target would make sense but probably Singapore.

Adding a few of those flight options would do wonders for onward connections to make just about anywhere in the world one stop away from Denver.

[DenverInfill]

Well, everyone would love more international flights, most of all the city and DEN. They have dedicated considerable resources to expanding DEN's international connections including numerous oversea trips by the mayor, airport and economic development officials, etc. Looking back over the past decade or so, it is remarkable how many new international destinations have been added.

But as I'm sure you're aware, adding an overseas nonstop requires years of effort--sometimes a decade or more--involving numerous market studies, economic analyses, negotiations with airlines and foreign diplomats, competing with other cities for a limited number of authorized flights between the US and another country, etc. I'm quite impressed with how successful Denver has been in this recently, considering how far we are from the coasts and how many bigger markets Denver competes against.

[LooksLikeForever]

Originally Posted by DenverInfill

Well, everyone would love more international flights, most of all the city and DEN. They have dedicated considerable resources to expanding DEN's international connections including numerous oversea trips by the mayor, airport and economic development officials, etc. Looking back over the past decade or so, it is remarkable how many new international destinations have been added.

But as I'm sure you're aware, adding an overseas nonstop requires years of effort--sometimes a decade or more--involving numerous market studies, economic analyses, negotiations with airlines and foreign diplomats, competing with other cities for a limited number of authorized flights between the US and another country, etc. I'm quite impressed with how successful Denver has been in this recently, considering how far we are from the coasts and how many bigger markets Denver competes against.

Absolutely agreed, and fair points all around. To your point, I remember last year reading about efforts to start service between Denver and Ethiopia. In fact, there were several news articles at the time such as: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...le-few-months/

Since early 2023, I haven't been able to find any update. I wonder if this initiative died on the vine, or if there is still any activity going on behind the scenes.