Seattle analysis shows just how much Hill loves the bus -- Plus, potential bike/walk improvements

Examining the analysis included in the briefing document on the status of the Seattle Transit Master Plan update (see attached PDF), Capitol Hill stands out as a key component of the city's mass transportation landscape, leading all areas in usage and demand. Here's a look inside the briefing presented Tuesday to the City Council's transportation committee as Seattle prepares to update its current 5-year-old plan. We've also included a map showing priority spots being considered by the Seattle Department of Transportation for Bridging the Gap levy investments to improve sidewalk and bicycle conditions along Capitol Hill and downtown streets.

Apologies in advance for some of the hard-to-read graphics. You can check out the attached PDF for (mostly) clearer and larger images. This first map illustrates how many of Seattle's public transit trips connect to Capitol Hill:

The Hill is also one of the areas in Seattle where citizens are "likely to use" transit -- the darker the blue, the higher the score for an area on the Transit Use Propensity Index!

Here's a fuzzy zoom on Capitol Hill's index scores -- use blank areas like Volunteer Park to orient yourself and find your non-bus riding neighbors:

The report also includes some passenger load and reliability data. Raise your hand if you've participated in a Downtown > Capitol Hill "crush load." And if you think bus reliability on your part of Broadway is bad, check out the score south of Madison.

The briefing also has some high level results from a transit survey many of you may have taken in 2010. SDOT collected 9,500 responses -- 75% were from transit riders. The highlighted results indicate a a desire for faster service and might tee up a push for a light rail measure on the Seattle ballot.

Survey respondents also said 48% of their trips are of 30 minutes or longer.

Meanwhile, we also have this map from planning for the 2011 Bridging the Gap levy projects to improve pedestrian and bicycling conditions in the city. The green dots indicate roadway crossings being considered for improvement -- large dots indicate areas being considered for the first tier of projects. The purple and blue lines indicate areas being considered along the roadway including areas where sharrows or bike lanes could be added.

Here's an explanation of SDOT's bicycle improvements prioritization process:

Potential projects that would expand the system by linking to an existing facility are given greater consideration than potential projects that would be isolated facilities.  Similarly, candidate projects that would improve high collision locations are given priority over other routes.  SDOT planners look at a number of other factors as well like connections to transit, land use, and socioeconomic and health factors.  This information is run through a GIS model and candidate projects are further vetted in the field by staff.  After completing the planning process, we move quickly into the design phase.  Construction generally occurs during the warmer, dryer summer months.

The full downtown area map is below.

Pothole problems?
Meanwhile, SDOT has more immediate concerns as it attempts to ramp up its pothole fighting efforts. You can report street problems here or call 684-ROAD (7623).