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Studies Underway
One of the major functions of the MPO´s staff, the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS), is to perform studies to identify and address transportation issues in the region. These studies can pertain to any surface-transportation mode and a variety of transportation-planning topics. Brief descriptions of the studies currently underway are provided below.
2007–2008 HOV Monitoring on I-93 North and the Southeast Expressway
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulation 310 CMR 7.37 calls for quarterly monitoring of the southbound high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lane of I-93 North and the reversible HOV lane of the Southeast Expressway. The monitoring is performed in order to assess compliance with a set travel-time-savings threshold.
Contact: Seth Asante
2008–2009 MBTA Passenger Survey
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has been awarded a discretionary grant for a new systemwide onboard survey of the rapid transit, bus, bus rapid transit, commuter rail, and water transportation services. The survey is being conducted by CTPS. The results of this survey will provide the MBTA, state and federal agencies, consultants, and the public with analytical tools that are more up-to-date to use in effectively and efficiently conducting transportation-planning activities. The new survey data will enhance CTPS´s ability to validate and calibrate the Boston Region MPO´s regional travel demand model.
Contact: Liz Moore
Alewife Station: Improvements to Feeder Bus Routes, Bus Access
and Egress, and Route 2/Route 16 Intersection
This project is the second phase of an examination of the Route 2 / Route 16 intersection. CTPS is reviewing the origins of travelers and comparing them with existing feeder bus routes to see if route changes or timing adjustments, or new routes, would capture more of these travelers on transit. The study also includes review of possible access improvements to / from the Alewife garage for buses, including a dedicated bus lane in the existing shoulder of Route 2, to encourage increased ridership. Finally, CTPS will study potential improvements to the Route2 / Route 16 intersection.
Contact: Efi Pagitsas
Federal Fiscal Year 2008 National Transit Database Directly
Operated Bus and Rail Passenger Miles and Boardings Estimates
The objective of this project is to develop estimates of passenger boardings and passenger miles for bus, trackless trolley, heavy rail, and light rail services directly operated by the MBTA. The data that form the basis of the estimates is collected through onboard ridechecks, station turnstile observations, and passenger surveys.
Contact: Liz Moore
Federal Fiscal Year 2008 National Transit Database Purchased Bus Transportation Passenger Miles and Boardings Estimates
The objective of this project is to develop estimates of passenger boardings and passenger miles for bus routes operated as part of the Suburban Transportation Program and other contracted MBTA local bus service. The data that form the basis of the estimates will be collected through onboard ridechecks.
Contact: Liz Moore
Impacts Analysis of the 2007 MBTA Fare Increase and Restructuring
In January 2007 the MBTA instituted a fare increase as well as new fare media. This analysis of the 2007 changes is considering the effects on modal ridership, the revenue resulting from the fare increase, and the changing characteristics of fare-media usage and trip patterns.
Contact: Liz Moore
MBTA Bus Service Data Collection V
CTPS is conducting ridechecks, pointchecks, and timechecks to monitor service on the MBTA bus system. The data collected will be processed and presented to the MBTA, along with recommendations for service reallocations to correct schedule adherence problems or observed crowding problems.
Contact: Liz Moore
MBTA Program for Mass Transportation
The Program for Mass Transportation (PMT) defines a long-range vision for the MBTA and prioritizes infrastructure investments. The PMT is a critical input into the MBTA´s Capital Investment Program (CIP) and the MPO´s Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program. CTPS is supporting the MBTA in development of the PMT through assistance with public outreach, needs assessment, project selection and evaluation, and report preparation.
Contact: Liz Moore
MBTA Rapid Transit Station Intermodal Service Maps
CTPS is assisting the MBTA in the preparation of transit station maps that show intermodal service connections.
Contact: Liz Moore
MBTA Transit Quality Assurance Benchmarking
CTPS provides the MBTA and other transportation providers with technical assistance in assessing comparative service quality in targeted minority communities versus the transportation system as a whole. CTPS also collects data used in these assessments: information on crowding, schedule adherence, shelter placement, scheduled service frequency, service coverage, access to key destinations, vehicle age and condition, parking facilities, and other topics.
Contact: Liz Moore
Mobility Management System (MMS), 2005–2008
The Mobility Management System in the Boston Region MPO area is continuing to collect and analyze volume-related data for highways, arterial roads, transit services, park-and-ride lots, and bicycle/pedestrian facilities.
Contact: Jared Fijalkowski
Route 60, West Malden and East Medford: Pedestrian Mobility,
Bus Service, and Traffic Improvements Study
Problems that contribute to congested and, potentially, unsafe conditions for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists along Route 60 in Medford and Malden are being examined. The study is focusing on access management issues and how to resolve them, including identifying locations where signal upgrades, signal coordination, pavement markings, and on-street-parking management would improve traffic flow for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles.
Contact: Efi Pagitsas
South Coast Commuter Rail Extension Ridership Forecast Study
CTPS is assisting the Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works (EOTPW) and the MBTA to develop environmental and other planning documents needed to advance the proposed extension of MBTA commuter rail service between downtown Boston and the cities of Fall River and New Bedford. The extension project will include construction of passenger stations and terminal layover facilities.
Contact: Scott Peterson
Support to the Green Line Extension Environmental Review
An extension of Green Line service from a relocated Lechmere Station through Cambridge to Somerville and Medford, with a spur to Union Square, is a legal commitment under the proposed amendment to the State Implementation Plan. CTPS is providing needed analytical support, including travel demand forecasting, for the development of a Draft Environmental Impact Report and federal environmental review documents.
Contact: Scott Peterson
Support to the Urban Ring Phase 2 Draft Environmental Impact
Report and Environmental Impact Statement
CTPS is continuing to support the EOTPW in the preparation of the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Phase 2 of the Urban Ring project.
Contact: Scott Peterson

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