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Regional Service Planning Common Statewide Research Issues Update May 2007 John Overman, TTI [email protected] May 2007 Workshop 1 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 Workshop 2 Research Topics Affecting Coordination • • • • • Alternative Fuels Vehicles Driver Training / Certification Information Technology Insurance May 2007 Workshop 3 May 2007 Workshop 4 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 Workshop 5 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 Workshop 6 County of El Paso (entire service area) Kaufman Area Rural Transportation (entire service area) Rural Transit Districts Collin County Committee on Aging (entire service area) Services Program for Aging Needs in Denton County (entire service area) Community Services, Inc. (1 of 2 counties) City of Cleburne (entire service area) Public Transit Services (1 of 2 counties) East Texas COG (5 of 14 counties) Southeast Texas RPC (entire service area) Fort Bend County (entire service area) Colorado Valley Transit (1 of 4 counties) Brazos Transit District (2 of 21 counties) Gulf Coast Center (entire service area) Golden Crescent RPC (1 of 8 counties) Rural Economic Assistance League (1 of 3 counties) Alamo Area COG (3 of 11 counties) Area not served by an RTD May 2007 Workshop Non Attainment / Near Non Attainment area Capital Area Rural Transportation System (5 of 9 counties) 7 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 Workshop 8 Vehicles National Rural Fleet Mix Small Vehicles 10% Large Buses 4% Medium Buses 9% Small Buses 23% Vans 54% May 2007 Workshop 9 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 Workshop 10 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 Workshop 11 Technology in Transit Coordination • • • • • Transit information services Coordinated scheduling and reservations Coordinated fare collection/billing Vehicle location and communication Maintenance tracking May 2007 Workshop 12 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 Workshop 13 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 Workshop 14 May 2007 Workshop 15 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 Workshop 16 Feedback • Provide comments and examples • It’s a continuing process • Shine light on constraints May 2007 Workshop 17