Foursquare ITP evaluated the feasibility, benefits, and real‑world implementation potential of a large‑scale automated transit network (ATN) in the rapidly growing south metro Atlanta area. As emerging transit technologies create new opportunities for faster, more reliable, and more accessible mobility, MARTA decided to explore how an ATN could transform travel around key destinations, including the airport and major activity centers.
Because the range of possible modes and corridors is vast, MARTA needed a clear, defensible way to narrow the options to those that best balance vision, cost, performance, constructability, and community impact. Foursquare ITP developed a structured two‑tier evaluation process to guide this effort.
Our approach first measured each potential corridor against MARTA’s long‑term vision and access goals, then rigorously evaluates the top candidates using criteria related to connectivity, engineering feasibility, operations, sustainability, and equity. By pairing this technical analysis with ongoing input from stakeholders, partner agencies, and governance committees, we transformed an initial list of eight conceptual corridors into a focused, high‑value shortlist.
As a result, MARTA now has a clear, stakeholder‑supported path forward with three priority ATN corridors that are strategically aligned with regional mobility needs, technically sound, and ready for deeper engineering, modeling, and environmental review.
Solutions and Outcomes
- Developed a systemwide ATN Build‑Out Concept.
- Created and applied a two‑tier evaluation framework to objectively narrow corridor alternatives based on strategic fit and real‑world feasibility.
- Evaluated routes using connectivity, ridership potential, equity, job and population access, constructability, and cost to ensure alignment with regional mobility goals.
- Positioned MARTA with a prioritized, defensible set of corridors ready for the next phase of engineering, modeling, and operational analysis.