Transit Technologies/Highway Options

Transit Technologies

A multi-modal approach, including transit and highway options, is important in providing travel choices in the future and for helping meet transportation demand in northern Colorado. Throughout the North I-25 EIS study, the project team considered a wide range of transportation alternatives. To effectively meet transportation needs in northern Colorado, the following transit and highway solutions are part of the preferred alternative and will be analyzed in detailed in the Final EIS.

Rapid TransitBus Rapid Transit

  • Distinctive, specialized vehicles with flexibility, frequency and speed of light rail
  • Light rail-like stations provide fast and efficient boarding
  • Local/regional bus service which operates in shared traffic or in an exclusive, fixed guideway
  • Seats up to 70 people
  • Average speeds up to 35 mph on arterials, 75 mph on freeways

Commuter BusCommuter Bus

  • Standard 40' bus, articulated bus, or commuter coach
  • Serves major highway corridors with fewer stops
  • More regional service, longer distance trips
  • Seats up to 60 people per bus
  • Speeds up to 65 mph

Commuter RailCommuter Rail

  • Heavier, diesel or electric locomotive pulling passenger cars
  • Fewer stations than light rail, typically 5-10 miles apart
  • Regional service, with average trips of 20+ miles
  • Seats up to 150 people per car
  • Average speeds of 60-80 mph

Highway Alternatives

Tolled Express Lanes

Tolled Express Lanes

  • Single-occupancy vehicles pay a toll and high occupancy vehicles travel in the lane free of charge.
  • A combination of both barrier and buffer-separated lanes are used to separate the Tolled Express Lane (TEL) from the general purpose lanes.
  • Slip ramp access provides at grade access and egress between the general purpose lanes and the TEL.
  • New capacity: 3,400 people per hour per lane
  • Average speed: 60 mph
  • Capital Cost: $7.4 million per lane mile

General Purpose LanesGeneral Purpose Lanes

  • Most common method of adding travel capacity
  • Standard paved lane that allows car and truck traffic
  • New capacity: 2,400 people per hour per direction
  • Average speed: 55 mph
  • Capital Cost: $6.9 million per lane mile