Draft Project Impact Report - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Exeter Residences\888 Boylston
Green Line Capacity
\\Mabos\projects\09916.00\docs\Permits\DPIR\Text\DPIR Chapter 4
Transportation081208-clean.docx
Subway route capacity is a function of vehicle size and the frequency of service. The
Green Line peak hour capacities for the B Line, C Line, D Line and E Line are based
on a vehicle capacity of 100 passengers per car or 200 passengers per a two-car
trainset. This assumes a conservative analysis since the D Line often provides threecar
trains during the peak hours.
Consistent with the bus analysis, the subway service rush-hour frequencies and
ridership information, presented in Table 4-12 are based on the most current
schedules and publications available from the MBTA.
Table 4-12
MBTA Green Line Peak Hour Utilization (Existing Conditions)
Frequency 1
Peak Hour
Capacity 2
Transportation 4-33
Peak Hour
Ridership Utilization
Green Line
Inbound 104 8,736 8,104 AM Peak 93%
Outbound 104 8,736 7,386 PM Peak 85%
1 – cars per hour, source: MBTA Bus Routes schedules and comprehensive Ridecheck Program (Winter 2000)
2- in number of passengers
As shown in Table 4-12, there is adequate capacity on the D Line and E Line to
accommodate the peak hour loads. This analysis assumes that all trains arrive on
schedule and that passengers are evenly distributed throughout the hour. In reality,
passenger loads can vary and some trains become more congested than others.
However, over the course of the hour, there is an adequate train capacity to meet the
demand.
With the new Charlie Card system, the MBTA has the ability to monitor passenger
loads and adjust schedules as needed to meet the customer demands. It is anticipated
that with the expected growth in the Back Bay, the MBTA will provide more frequent
service and increase the frequency of the three-car trainsets on the D Line as needed.
With the construction of the proposed Urban Ring project, new connections will be
made available within the MBTA system which will help to alleviate existing
demands on major components of the public transportation system, which will
eventually provide additional capacity to the Green Line operating in the Back Bay
area.
As presented in Table 4-10, the Exeter Residences and 888 Boylston buildings
together will increase the planned transit ridership for the entire redevelopment
program by 3.1% during the morning peak and 2.6% during the evening peak. This