 Background
In 2010, the Mid-Region Council of Governments began a study to explore transportation needs for the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). This project was initiated to identify opportunities for reducing congestion and environmental impacts in the area, while addressing parking issues, and lowering travel costs.
Why the UNM / CNM / Sunport Area?
- The UNM/CNM/Sunport area is the largest activity center in the region encompassing two universities and the UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center, and the Albuquerque International Sunport — the state's largest commercial airport. The UNM/CNM area attracts approximately 74,000 employees and students a day, with an additional 1 million annual healthcare patient visits. The area is also home to a range of large employers and small businesses, and a diverse set of well established neighborhoods.
- A very large amount of development is underway or planned in the area — including on an off campus housing, expansion, of the Health Sciences Center, and potential mixed use and commercial development.
- The area is already served by the very successful Rapid Ride bus lines and it is common for people to commute by walking, carpooling, and bicycling.
- Convenient and affordable access to the institutions, businesses, and neighborhoods in the area is essential for meeting the essential educational, healthcare and community functions this area provides the region.
- The area's diverse activities, the success of current transit service, and the commitment of key stakeholders to promote the use of transit, walking and bicycling to meet their transportation needs are the key ingredients to innovative solutions that will strengthen the vital activities and communities found in the area.
Phase 1: Scoping
The first phase was completed in Summer 2011 and recommended activities to achieve the projects goals. Two main activities that the study recommended be pursued are:
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Project Name:
UNM / CNM / Sunport Transit Project
Project Team:
An interagency effort of the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, the University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College, and the International Sunport. Also a part of the Project Team, are City Councilor Isaac Benton and County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins.
The Mid-Region Council of Governments is managing the effort.
Project Funding:
Approximately $850 thousand was received from two federal grants and local matching funds.
Project Timeline:
The project is anticipated to take 18 – 24 months to complete.
More Information:
If you or your organization is located in the study area – or if you are simply interested in this project – please contact Caeri Thomas at 247-1750.
The development of an inter-jurisdictional Travel Demand Management Strategy
- Completing a formal Alternatives Analysis
A Travel Demand Management Strategy would create priorities for implementing and evaluating some of the tools identified in the first phase such as increasing and modifying existing transit service, making roadway improvements, marketing alternative modes, pursuing parking pricing and related policies, and developing park and ride facilities.
The Alternatives Analysis would identify and assess potential transit types and routes, as well as maintenance and operations issues, that would best serve the area's diverse population, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility and mobility. Through an Alternatives Analysis a locally preferred alternative (LPA) is selected that is then available for federal funding.
 Phase 1 Findings: Travel Characteristics and Opportunities
Phase 2: Alternatives Analysis
Phase 2 is currently underway and is anticipated to take 18-24 months to complete. The purpose of this phase is to identify and select premium transit service that can best connect people to important destinations in the area to find ways to better serve a diverse population, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility and mobility for all modes of traffic.
 Project Activities
- The project will identify a transit type and route that will best meet the area's current and future transportation needs, including a recommendation on a route or routes and details of the service such as stop locations, service hours, ridership projections, and capital and operating costs.
- The project will include an active public involvement effort to gather comments regarding the project's findings and recommendations and assemble constructive ideas that will shape the project as it moves forward.
- A variety of factors will determine the service's potential to provide an attractive and valuable transportation option for the area. Because of this, the project will also identify features of land use, parking, housing, and business activities that can support both the transit system and the interests of the residents, institutions, businesses, and visitors to the area.
Phase 2: Technical Committee PowerPoint
Related Documents
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Mid Region Council of Governments