The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has selected Huitt-Zollars, Inc., for an 18-month study to create a regional rail network masterplan as part of the three-year SEPTA General Planning Contract (GPC).
SEPTA wants Huitt-Zollars to improve the rail network by examining service patterns, fares, equipment, stations, infrastructure and operations for transformational ways to integrate commuter, heavy and light rail, and bus networks. The mandate also includes a fulsome equity analysis to transition the system to two-way, all-day service.
The Huitt-Zollars team will include sub-contractors Nelson/Nygaard, Connect the Dots, Portfolio Associates, Ross & Baruzzini, Tamika Butler and Entro.
“This is an opportunity to completely reimagine what SEPTA Regional Rail means—what kind of trips it provides, who can benefit, what’s the riding experience, etc.,” said Huitt-Zollars Planner Christof Spieler. “This project is about working with the community, elected officials, the SEPTA Board and SEPTA departments to develop a vision of an alternate, optimized future while gaining necessary buy-in to realize it.”
“Huitt-Zollars and Christof bring experience in urban planning, with a focus on community development and public outreach—a key project management trait,” added SEPTA Project Manager Ryan Judge.
SEPTA took over the regional rail network in 1983 and transformed it out of the gate. Today, as the fifth busiest commuter rail system, SEPTA Regional Rail averages 132,000 daily riders—carrying the multitude of nine-to-five commuters to and from Center City—and connects Philadelphia with all of its surrounding counties, helping to support a vast transportation network.
But to make it even more useful and efficient, it once again needs a transformational upgrade.
A comprehensive study encompassing safety, state-of-good-repair needs, regulatory requirements, operational efficiencies and infrastructure constraints, the team will address all 155 stations in the system as well as trip demand, land use and enhanced integration to drive greater ridership.
To better understand those changes and ridership desires, the Huitt-Zollars team will conduct a public engagement campaign and draw on planning, communication, community outreach, and engineering. Ultimately, the Huitt-Zollars team will work with SEPTA to develop a long-term vision for SEPTA Regional Rail to guide the next generation of transportation investment while adding options for board consideration.
