Locally Developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services

Locally Developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services

Transportation Plan

Ohio Department of Transportation

Office of Transit

January 15, 2009

Locally Developed Coordinated Plan Workshop

Marianne Freed AdministratorODOT, Office of Transit

Welcome and Introductions

3

Webcast Participants - Contact Information

• To Pose Questions and Offer Comments and Ideas

• Email Address:– Kim White, Training and Compliance Officer

ODOT, Office of Transit

[email protected]

History and Requirements

Joshua Gearhardt

ODOT, Office of Transit

4Locally Developed Coordinated Plan Workshop

SAFETEA-LU• The Transportation Reauthorization Bill passed in 2005

• Added New Federal Transit Administration Programs

• Revised some existing programs

• Final FTA Circular issued May 1, 2007– 9045.1-

www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_C_9045.1_New_Freedom.pdf

– 9050.1-www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_C_9050.1_JARC.pdf

– 9070.1F-

www.fta.dot.gov/documents/C9070.1F.pdf


New and Revised Federal Transit Administration Programs

• Job Access/Reverse Commute (JARC)

• New Freedom

• Section 5310 (has many names)

– Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities

– Specialized Transportation Program• A.K.A.-Section 16 or Section 16(B)2


JARC-Section 5316

• Existing Program- Job Access/Reverse Commute– Connect Welfare recipients and low income

to:• Jobs• Employment related training including

education programs and pre-employment training programs


JARC-Section 5316

• Funding – Directly to large urbanized areas (over 200,000

in population)

– To ODOT for Rural and Small Urban Areas (under 200,000 in population)

– From Discretionary to Formula; based on low income population in UZA


JARC-Section 5316…

• Operating 50/50 (Federal/Local)

• Capital 80/20 (Federal/Local)

• Planning 80/20 (Federal/Local)


Ohio JARC-Section 5316

• Who Can Apply

– Public Entities providing Public Transit service

– Private non-profit designated by public to provide Public Transit service

– Public entities who are recipients of the Ohio Coordination Program


New Freedom-Section 5317

• New Program -

Beyond ADA Requirements

– Targeted toward people with disabilities

– Program intent:• Improve public transit service

• Provide transportation alternatives

• Remove barriers


New Freedom-Section 5317

• Funding

– Directly to large urban areas (over 200,000 in population)

– To ODOT for Rural and Small Urban Areas (under 200,000 in population)

– Operating 50/50 (Federal/Local)– Capital 80/20 (Federal/Local)


Specialized Transportation Program- Section 5310

• Existing Program to provide services to:

– Elderly and people with disabilities:

• Vehicle Acquisition

• Equipment

• Mobility Management



• Program Requirements

– Projects must be derived from a “Locally Developed Coordinated Plan”

– Projects must be competitively selected



• Funding

– Administered by the State (ODOT)

– Capital only - 80/20 (Federal/Local)


Section 5310 – Specialized Transportation Program

• Who Can Apply for funding in Ohio

– Private non-profit organizations

– Public entities in areas:

• Without non-profit organizations available to provide service

• Lead in Ohio Coordination Program project


Federal Requirements

• Section 5310, 5316 & 5317 applications “derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan”.

• Designated Recipients will have to certify that the plan was “developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private and nonprofit transportation and human services providers and participation by the publicparticipation by the public”.


What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan?

• There are four outlined in the federal circular– Assessment of available services that identifies

current transportation providers

– Assessment of current transportation needs for persons with disabilities, older adults and people with low incomes


What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan? (Con’t)

– Strategies, activities, and/or projects to address the identified gaps between current services and needs, as well as opportunities to improve efficiencies in service delivery

– Priorities for implementation based on resources


What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan? (Con’t)

• “Plans must be developed in good faith in coordination with appropriate planning partners and with opportunities for public participation.” (Page V-2, FTA C

9070.1F, 5/1/2007)

• “The lead agency, in consultation with participants, should identify the process for adoption of the plan.” (Page V-7, FTA C 9070.1F, 5/1/2007)

• The plan should be updated through a regular update cycle, as identified in the Plan.


Who are the Transportation Stakeholders?

• Area transportation planning agencies

• Public transportation providers

• Private transportation providers

• Non profit transportation providers

• Past or current organizations funded under the JARC or Section 5310 program

• Passengers and advocates

• Human service partners

• Others-Anyone interested in Transportation for Target Populations


Why Participate?• Advantages

– You represent your customer base, public transit or human service provider, in their quest for mobility choices

– Will assure that JARC, New Freedom and 5310 funds are used for meeting the particular and unique needs of the residents of your community.

– Resources are limited for everyone and increasing efficiency through coordination makes sense.


Developing the Plan

Robbie Sarles

RLS and Associates


Low Cost/No Cost Methods to Develop a Plan

Use other plans as model• ODOT website• CTAA website• Transit system website• Ohio peers transit systems

o ODOT staff can assist


Low Cost/No Cost Methods to Develop a Plan (Continued)

Follow template• ODOT checklist• WVDOT Coordination Toolkit

o Comprehensive versiono Minimal versiono Plan update version



Supplemental outside assistance• Peer transit system• Larger transit system• Incorporate in neighboring transit system plan• Regional or local planning agencies• Universities / community colleges• Other agencies• Consultants



Types of supplemental assistance• Overview guidance• Technical analysis• Meeting facilitation• Alternative development• Project selection criteria• Objective project evaluation process


WV Toolkit

A compilation of information and resources• Tool for communities pursuing transportation

coordination• Guide for developing local coordination plans


WV Toolkit (Continued)

Toolkit contains• Introduction explaining the background for

the toolkit• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)• Getting started• Coordination briefs• References and resources• Sample Forms and Templates


Step 1: Obtain Basic Understanding of Coordination

Why the emphasis on coordination now? When is coordination effective? Will coordination save me money? What will coordination cost? What are the obstacles to coordination? Who needs to be involved in a coordination

effort?


Step 1: Obtain Basic Understanding of Coordination (Continued)

What problems can coordination address? What are the goals for coordinated

transportation services? How does coordination work? What are the benefits of coordination? Why have some coordinated systems failed? Why have many coordinated systems succeeded?


Step 2: Create an Outline of Your Plan

Coordination Plan Sample Table of Contents• I – Introduction and Overview• II – Inventory and Analysis of Existing Conditions• III – Stakeholder Assessment• IV – Transportation Provider Inventory• V – Identification of Unmet Mobility Needs• VI – Coordination Alternatives• Goals, Objectives, and Implementation Strategies


Step 2: Create an Outline of Your Plan (Continued)

Coordination Plan Sample Table of Contents (Continued) VII – Action Plan

Selection Criteria Prioritization Implementation Strategy

VIII - Adoption and Approval of Plan IX – Plan Update Appendices – Stakeholder and Public Involvement

Record


Step 3: Develop Public Participation / Outreach Strategy

Example of outreach activities Focus groups Public hearings Surveys Interviews Public forums, workshops, open houses Meetings – targeted populations


Step 3: Develop Public Participation / Outreach Strategy

(Continued Notification methods

Newspaper notices Flyers Direct mailing Media public service announcements E-Mail


Step 4: Identify Who Should be Invited to Participate

Identify stakeholders Comprehensive list Core group


Step 5: Collect Population and Demographic Data

Major trip generators Major origin and destination data Typical destinations outside of service area County demographic profiles


Sources of Demographic Data

U.S. Census County Profile County Commissioners Chamber of Commerce Department of Economic Development Agriculture Extension Office School System


Step 6: Inventory Existing Transportation Services

Survey Interviews


Step 7: Conduct Gap Analysis / Needs Assessment

Compare supply of service with demand Identify current coordination efforts Identify challenges to coordination Develop goals for coordination


Step 8: Identify Potential Projects

Describe potential projects


Step 9: Evaluate and Prioritize Projects

Develop selection criteria Evaluate potential projects Prioritize potential projects


Step 10: Create Implementation Strategy


Step 11: Finalize Plan

Document planning process Document results Document public participation / outreach Adopt plan


Step 12: Establish Procedure and Timeline for Updating Plan


Examples of Coordination Activities

• Information and Referral

• Planning

• Grants Management

• Specification Development

• Training

• Joint Policy/Procedure Development

• Passenger Aides/Escorts

• Joint Purchasing

• Vehicle Sharing

• Trip Sharing

• Mobility Managers

• Transportation Brokerages

• Volunteer Pools

• Vehicle, Equipment, and Facility Purchases

• Joint Dispatch and Scheduling

• Call Centers

• Guaranteed Ride Home

• Shared Supplemental Service Contracts

• ITS/GPS

Locally Developed Coordinated Plan Workshop 46

Developing the Plan

Carla Lakatos

Lakatos Group, Ltd.


Locally Developed Coordinated Plan Workshop

Target Populations

Elderly Low Income Disabled

48

Benefits to Users and Community


Lakatos Group Experience

Example Agency: Ohio Coordination Project Lead

Background: As an Ohio Coordination Project, serves the public

transportation and human service transportation needs of the County since 1999 (County Commissioners are grantee).

Coordination Project includes 18 participating agencies and is the principle provider of transportation for seniors in Union County.


Lakatos Group Experience

Example Lead Agency: Four County Community Action Commission (CAC)

Background: Plan covered Three of the Four Counties CAC operates an Ohio Rural Transit System in one of the

three counties. There are no public transportation services in the remaining two counties.

The Fourth County elected to develop its own plan.


Key Challenge: Generating local interest in and commitment to

developing a Local Coordinated Plan.


Recommended Initial Steps (continued): Approve work scope and schedule (be careful of tight

timelines!) Provide support in identifying all interested parties and

contact persons Approve process participation plan Identify broad key issues and planning goals (through

input from Steering Committee and other key stakeholders).

Key Challenge: Generating local interest in and commitment to

developing a Local Coordinated Plan.


Key Challenge: Developing & Implementing Specific Strategies to

Assure Effective Planning Process Participation

Goal 1: Raise interested parties’ level of understanding of the planning process and identify how interested parties can become involved.

Examples: Develop database of all interested parties and contact persons. Develop public informational materials – leaflet, website

information Develop a media relations plan.




Goal 2: Ensure interested parties are provided with adequate,

appropriate and meaningful opportunities to participate in the planning process.

Examples: Outreach to stakeholder (surveys, phone calls, etc.) Use of representative Steering Committee and working groups. Distribution of contact information for providing suggestions on

key plan elements.




Goal 2 Examples (continued): Media notices of availability of draft plan for review and

comment. Computer based participation through key websites. Public availability of draft plan at key locations. Public meetings. Assure that the Steering Committee has an opportunity to

review all public comments.




Goal 3: Identify and involve target populations (low income,

elderly, persons with disabilities) in the planning process.

Examples: Identify all agencies that represent or assist these populations

and maintain contact/mailing list. Identify ways of reaching and involving target population.




Goal 4: Use the Steering Committee to the fullest extent to reach

interested parties in the planning area – e.g., citizens, representative agencies, and local public officials.

Examples: Steering Committee reviews stakeholder database, public

informational materials, public comment, survey results, etc. Steering Committee appoints a working group to develop action

strategies. Steering Committee formally accepts and recommends the Final

Coordinated Plan.


Key Planning Challenge:Example Ohio Coordination Project

Issue: The Coordination Project is perceived as a fully effective coordination project. Obtaining full participation of private businesses, public agencies, local providers/funders, and locally elected officials in the planning effort was the key challenge.

Response: The local Chamber of Commerce was contacted and included a survey of its members in the Coordinated Plan. In addition, the participants agreed that further planning participation could be encouraged by requesting that CEOs of all major publically supported agencies, and the County Commissioners to sign off on the final plan.


Key Planning Challenge:Example Ohio Coordination Project

Issue: Realization that certain high-prioritized strategies involved origins/destinations and transportation providers outside of Union County.

Response: Encourage more of a regional approach in future plan updates.


Key Planning Challenge:Example Multi-County CAC

Issue: Two of the counties without Public Transit had limited experience with inter-agency dialogue, understanding of need and transportation coordination. This resulted in challenges in generating stakeholder interest and an understanding of unmet need.

Response: Work closely with stakeholder and working groups. Encourage an ongoing, dynamic planning process. Realize that the planning process itself is a meaningful outcome.


Key Planning Challenge:Example Multi-County CAC

Issue: Finding meaningful coordination opportunities among three (3) very different counties.

Response: Generate prioritized implementation strategies for each county. Assure a dynamic planning process with relatively frequent Plan updates and inter-county communication. Find an early success that can generate further interest in inter-county coordination. Realize that the planning process itself is a meaningful outcome.


Summary Recommendations:

Using a Steering Committee to adopt a process plan and provide oversight will assist in moving the effort forward.

Using available resources such as a planning process outline, stakeholder and community survey instruments, etc. is recommended.

Developing & implementing specific strategies to assure effective planning process participation is critical albeit time-consuming.

Involving locally elected officials and other key influencers to the fullest extent possible will assist with local buy-in.


Developing and monitoring timelines and milestones is important but focus first on generating the fullest participation possible (even if timelines must slip).

Assuring that the planning process is dynamic – that is, providing regular plan updates and reviews will result in the fullest benefits to your community.

Realize that the planning process itself is a meaningful outcome (creating/encouraging inter-agency, public/private dialogue).

Summary Recommendations:


Resources

ODOT www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Local/Transit/Pages/default.aspx

WVDOTwww.wvdot.com/z_buses/z_buses.htm

CTAAwww.ctaa.org

FTA United We Ridewww.unitedweride.gov

National RTAP www.nationalrtap.org


http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Local/Transit/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.wvdot.com/z_buses/z_buses.htm

http://www.ctaa.org/

http://www.unitedweride.gov/

http://www.nationalrtap.oprg/

Questions???


Documents

Locally Developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services