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
phasing for signalized intersections in the Back Bay area. This effort includes
modification to vehicle and pedestrian timings, offsets and time of day operation
that will enhance the overall vehicle operations and pedestrian safety.
MBTA Capital Investment Program – In the Draft FY 2006-FY 2011 Capital
Investment Program document, the MBTA announced that it is planning on
purchasing No. 8 size trains for the Green Line, in order to increase capacity.
The Proponent has met with representatives of the MBTA to discuss Green Line
operations and capacity. The Project site is served by all four branches of the Green
Line via the Copley Square, Hynes and Prudential stations. The E-Line and
Prudential station are the closest to the Prudential Center site.
The MBTA representatives stated that the MBTA has made a number of
improvements to the Green line, many in the last year, to improve capacity,
efficiency and speed of the system. One of the operational goals is not to leave any
riders behind due to overcrowded trains. They acknowledged this has been a
problem in the past, most notably during peak periods. Due to physical and
management improvements the MBTA has greatly reduced overcrowding.
Improvements identified by the MBTA include the following:
Installation of ticket machines at all local stops. This has dramatically
improved operations at the Prudential stop where previously, ticket sales
occurred on the train car, which became a bottleneck during peak periods.
Institution of a policy where all cars running on the E-line are two-car trains,
thereby increasing capacity.
An increase in the number of trains running during the peak hour on the Eline
from 20 to 36.
Institution of a staffing and scheduling policy to ensure that 5-minute
headways are being maintained during peak hours.
Use of the “Write to the Top” campaign to identify system operational
shortfalls and allow the MBTA staff to address issues more expeditiously.
This program encourages writing or emailing the MBTA (in this case
greenline@mbta.com) with comments, complaints and suggestions. The
MBTA representative noted that they use this as a barometer of MBTA
satisfaction.
Implementation of track-work improvements to increase speed and
efficiency, most notably on the D-line.
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