May 2007 Workshop1

Regional Service Planning Common Statewide Research Issues

UpdateMay 2007

John Overman, TTIjoverman@tamu.edu

May 2007 Workshop2

White Papers&

Barriers and Constraints

What a difference a year makes!Thanks to Regions!

Thank you Providers!Thanks to TxDOT and PTN ! Thanks TTI team members!

May 2007 Workshop3

Research Topics Affecting Coordination

• Alternative Fuels• Vehicles • Driver Training / Certification• Information Technology• Insurance

May 2007 Workshop4

May 2007 Workshop5

General Observations• Papers respond to Barriers and Constraints• Topics are moving targets• Overcoming Barriers and Constraints

– Often case-by-case and site specific• No silver bullets

– Be diligent and persevere!• Shine a light on the problem – it helps everyone

see it better

May 2007 Workshop6

Alternative Fuels• LEV for Attainment Areas• ULEV for Non-attainment Areas

– Tier 2, Bins 1-5• TxLED/ULSD is AF for TxDOT• Industry-Engine Mfg. Changing

May 2007 Workshop7

Non Attainment / Near Non Attainment

area

County of El Paso (entire service area)County of El Paso (entire service area)

Kaufman Area Rural Transportation Kaufman Area Rural Transportation (entire service area)(entire service area)

Collin County Committee on Aging Collin County Committee on Aging (entire service area) (entire service area)

Services Program for Aging Needs in Denton Services Program for Aging Needs in Denton County (entire service area)County (entire service area)

CommunityCommunity Services, Inc. (1 of 2 counties)Services, Inc. (1 of 2 counties)

City of Cleburne (entire service area)City of Cleburne (entire service area)

Public Transit Services (1 of 2 counties)Public Transit Services (1 of 2 counties)

East Texas COG (5 of 14 counties)East Texas COG (5 of 14 counties)

Southeast Texas RPC (entire service area)Southeast Texas RPC (entire service area)

Fort Bend County (entire service area)Fort Bend County (entire service area)

Colorado Valley Transit (1 of 4 counties)Colorado Valley Transit (1 of 4 counties)

Brazos Transit District (2 of 21 counties)Brazos Transit District (2 of 21 counties)

Gulf Coast Center (entire service area)Gulf Coast Center (entire service area)

Golden Crescent RPC (1 of 8 counties)Golden Crescent RPC (1 of 8 counties)

Rural Economic Assistance League Rural Economic Assistance League (1 of 3 counties)(1 of 3 counties)

Alamo Area COG (3 of 11 counties)Alamo Area COG (3 of 11 counties)

Capital Area Rural Transportation System Capital Area Rural Transportation System (5 of 9 counties)(5 of 9 counties)

Area not servedby an RTD

Rural TransitDistricts

May 2007 Workshop8

Vehicles• ADA Requirements

– Demand response= Equivalency of service– Medicaid = contract requirement = lift when needed

• One Size Does NOT fit all• Mini-vans not always the answer• Type II–Cutaways not always the answer• Choose Appropriate vehicle for service and

conditions

May 2007 Workshop9

VehiclesNational Rural Fleet Mix

Small Vehicles10% Medium Buses

9%

Small Buses23%

Vans54%

Large Buses4%

May 2007 Workshop10

Vehicle Procurement• TxDOT provides procurement documents, forms, vehicle

specifications and examples. Three basic options: – Individual Purchase – a grantee prepares specifications and

goes out for bid individually– Group Purchase Agreement – two or more grantees combine

to procure vehicles. AKA piggy-back procurement.– Cooperative Purchase – grantees purchase through another

agency such as the Texas Building Procurement Agency, or the Houston-Galveston Area Council

May 2007 Workshop11

Driver Hiring & Training Standards• Significant flexibility in most hiring and

training administrative standards• Set your standard and cooperate• Shared / common training improves ability

of provider to carry various clients

May 2007 Workshop12

Technology in Transit Coordination• Transit information services• Coordinated scheduling and reservations• Coordinated fare collection/billing• Vehicle location and communication• Maintenance tracking

May 2007 Workshop13

Technology in Transit Coordination• Lessons learned

– Focus on outcomes - benefits– Custom software may become obsolete– Select scalable systems (expandable)– Introduce gradually– Regional ITS Architecture– Group Purchase

May 2007 Workshop14

Insurance & Risk Pools• Cost is most commonly cited• Risk management is key to controlling cost• Other Concerns

– Funding specific requirements– Conflict in Requirements between programs– Vehicle sharing– Volunteer drivers

May 2007 Workshop15

May 2007 Workshop16

Insurance & Risk Pools• TML Risk Pool• Vehicle sharing is…

– Program misconceptions– It’s about cost sharing

• Mixing riders is OK in most cases• Volunteer drivers…

May 2007 Workshop17

Feedback• Provide comments and examples• It’s a continuing process• Shine light on constraints