Bather-Wolsfeld, Inc.

The purpose of the I-35W Urban Corridor Demonstration Project is to implement and evaluate the Bus-on-Metered Freeway System. The system concept includes the following elements: -metering of an urban radial freeway - a real-time surveillance, command and control system - extensive express bus service in the corridor - priority access to the freeway via exclusive bus ramps - provision of transit passenger amenities, i.e., bus shelters, signs, and park-ride facilities in the corridor Planning the project was completed in September of 1971 and the complete Bus-on-Metered Freeway System was operational on April 9, 1974. Express bus service was begun on a "step-start" basis in the fall of 1971; the vast majority of the express bus service was initiated on December 11, 1972.

The recommendation of this report is to proceed with development of the Bus-Metered Freeway System in the I-35W Corridor. Analysis of the concept, the engineering detail, the operations, and the cost indicates the feasibility of combining a freeway surveillance and control system (a proven concept) and freeway express bus system (a proven concept).

The general intent of the project is to scientifically test the capability of a low-capital cost improvement as a means of optimizing the "people carrying capability" of a radial corridor from a CBD. For the project, the following five goals were identified: - Minimize the peak hour congestion and accidents within the I-35W corridor. - Optimize the "people carrying" capability of the I-35W corridor. - Ensure that this project's results are applicable to other urban corridors here and elsewhere. - Respond to the socio-economic needs of the residents and users of the corridor. - Test the bus on metered freeway system as a fast link element within the family of vehicles concept.

The purpose of this program outline is to present the work tasks required to prepare a comprehensive planning program for the urban development within the Metropolitan St. Cloud, Minnesota area.